ILMINSTER Literary Festival’s annual launch event has been labelled the town’s ‘best ever’.

Guests, sponsors and volunteers for the festival came together to kick off fundraising and enjoy a talk from wildlife photographer Robin Morrison.

The festival’s schedule was also launched at last week’s event.

As always, it will begin with an annual fundraising quiz hosted by festival trustee, Linda Vijeh.

She said: “As one of the trustees for this year’s Ilminster Literary Festival I felt that our launch event was hugely successful.

“Each year we try to tweak our format to retain the interest of our regular attendees, which this year included the mayor of Ilminster Julie Fowler, district council leader Val Keitch, and of course our very own town crier.”

The talk by award-winning photographer Robin Morrison also featured a collection of his most eye catching images.

Linda added: “The photographs he used to illustrate his talk were much admired by everyone and have gained national recognition.

“Always on the look out for opportunities to boost funds, as we are a charity, many local businesses had kindly donated prizes for the raffle, which yielded well over £200.”

The literary festival, which is now in its fourth year, has enjoyed great success since its launch.

“Of course, this was also our opportunity to unveil this year’s programme, and our on site box office, which ensured that tickets for many of the events were soon snapped up,” said Linda.

“If early sales are anything to go by then this should be yet another sell out year.

“Comments received afterwards confirmed that this was the best ever launch, largely organised by trustee Kirsty Hughes, ably abetted by other trustees including Yola Munroe, Brenda Lake and this year’s Chairman, Deryk Outram.”

The Ilminster Literary Festival Quiz Night is set to be held at Ilminster Bowling and Tennis Club. Tickets are £3 and the bar will be open.

Arrive at the venue at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Quizmistress Linda Vijeh has put together a quiz of literary questions, and the event also coincides with Somerset Day, so there will be some county trivia too.

The first writing guest speaker will be Alison Brackenbury with her poetry corner.

The event is set for The Warehouse Theatre foyer, and will run from 10am until 12.30pm on May 28.

For more information, visit ilminsterliteraryfestival.org.

To buy tickets, go to the website, of purchase from E&S Computers from Monday to Friday, or Ilminster Bookshop on Saturdays.