Tickets have gone on sale for a literary festival that offers people the chance to get up close and personal with a variety of acclaimed authors.

And even the Prime Minister David Cameron, who was there for the launch at The Chequers – the pub, not the PM’s country retreat – is a fan.

Chipping Norton Literary Festival, which takes place from April 23 to 26 will host a variety of distinguished writers from a wide range of genres including fiction, biography, politics and sport.

“ChipLitFest has an incredible programme lined up for this year and I urge everyone to get involved,” he said.

Headline speakers will include Lee Child, Richard and Judy, Helen Lederer, David Baddiel, Jesse Armstrong and Sheila Hancock.

During the four-day event, attendees will be invited to hear authors speak in a number of intimate venues across the Cotswold market town, including the Theatre, Town Hall, Methodist Hall and 16th century pub, The Chequers.

The Chipping Norton Theatre will accommodate New York bestselling thriller writer, Lee Child in conversation with Matt Billingham, as well as book club heroes Richard and Judy.

For crime lovers, visitors to the festival will be treated to talks by MC Beaton and international bestselling author SJ Watson.

Fans of political writing will have the opportunity to hear from John Crace and Polly Toynbee, as well as Baroness Trumpington.

As well as talks from authors, visitors will be treated to a varied programme of events over the course of the festival, including creative writing workshops, performance poetry, a literary quiz and a free photography exhibition.

Children will also be well-catered for at the festival with talks by renowned children’s authors, creative workshops and film animations.

Festival director Clare Mackintosh says: “We’re now in the fourth year of the festival, which is going from strength to strength.

“I’m delighted with this year’s line-up.

“We bring big names into intimate, local venues, which means that audiences benefit from an up-close and personal atmosphere.”

See the full programme at chiplitfest.com