SIR Tony Robinson, children’s poet Michael Morpurgo, Liberal Democrat Lord Paddy Ashdown, and Woman’s Hour’s Jenni Murray, are among the heavy hitters making Yeovil’s first ever literary festival a force to be reckoned with this weekend.

From Friday September 20, to Sunday September 22, the Octagon is teaming up with Yeovil Waterstones, the Yeovil Community Arts Association, and the Manor Hotel, to present its top-notch event programme.

Tony Robinson, known for his work on the Time Team archaeology series, and as Blackadder’s Baldrick, kicks off at 11am on Friday with a special schools performance based on his ‘Weird World of Wonder series at the Octagon, for £5.

Former Liberal Democrat leader and the international community’s High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, will discuss the ‘Cockleshell’ Raid of 1942 from 6pm Friday, at the Manor Hotel.

On Saturday at 2pm, Dom Joly, comedian, journalist, and the man who brought Trigger Happy TV to our screens, will be discussing new book, ‘Scary Monsters and Super Creeps at the Octagon.

Jenni Murray appears at 2pm (£12 a ticket on Sunday at the Theatre) discussing her life and work – 26 years of which has been dedicated to BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour.

There will also be a host of novelists, including local writer Tom Fort, a writer’s workshop, the announcement of the winners of the Yeovil Literary Prize 2013 and a screening of the film Private Peaceful. Yeovil Literary Festival’s schedule is on the Octagon website.