AN impressive line up of authors will be in Bentworth next month for a literary festival designed to raise money in aid of St Mary’s Church.

Taking place at Jubilee Hall on Saturday, June 17, the Bentworth Literary Festival on Sawill feature a series of presentations by authors DH Knight, Mike Hollow, Fergus McNeil, Peter Lovesey, Susan Vereker, Sarah Lucas, Robin McKinley, and Jack Sheffield.

The morning session will open at 10am when DH (Debbie) Knight will talk about her debut novel, The Knowing, released at the beginning of May. Based on a true story, the book aims to help all those affected by the helplessness, loneliness and grief of a terminal illness.

She said: “One day I realised I was the key to assisting my dad as he struggled with the mental and physical effects of cancer. But this meant uncovering the truth about myself. A truth not easily digested. A secret I had never shared.

“However, I had no choice. I had knowledge. Instead of protecting my secret I shared it with him. I used my ‘knowing’ to guide him through the days, to deliver him safely to the place he needed to be, to a place of peace.

“Ours was an unusual journey. My hope is, that in sharing my secret through the publication of this book, I may illuminate another life.”

The festival will also feature books signed by Alan Titchmarsh and Helen Madonald, with lunch and light refreshments available. The afternoon session starts at 2pm.

Tickets, priced £10 for one session or £15 for the day, are available from Alton Waterstones by e-mailing [email protected].