Book fans flocked to Oxford at the weekend for the chance to speak to some star names at the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival.

The nine-day event at Corpus Christi college and Christ Church began yesterday.

The festival gives the public the chance to mix with authors, writers and public figures at venues across the city.

Now in its 14th year, the festival boasts 500 speakers at 300 different events until Sunday, including appearances from movelists John le Carré, Martin Amis and Sebastian Faulks.

Talks, discussions and debates are expected to draw about 30,000 people to the city, with lectures and presentations taking place at venues including the Bodleian Library and Sheldonian Theatre.

Organiser Leslee Holderness said: “It’s an all-star cast for authors and events this year.

“Oxford is really rising to be the largest and the best within this literary and thought-provoking landscape.

“It’s a record-breaking year, with ticket sales up 30 per cent on last year and now it’s in its 14th year, the festival is firmly in people’s forward planning diaries.”