Former business secretary Vince Cable and award-winning novelist Margaret Drabble, who both have links with York, will be among the top names to be in York for this year’s two-week York Literature Festival from March 10 to 23.

Other headliners in a glittering line-up revealed yesterday include crime novelist Val McDermid, comedian and writer Arthur Smith, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, and former Tory big beast turned genial TV presenter Michael Portillo. Poet Wendy Cope and author and comedy scriptwriter John O’Farrell will also be appearing.

Festival director Miles Salter has described the lineup as one of the best and most diverse in the festival’s history.

“The claim ‘there is something for everybody’ is more true than ever,” he said.

“High profile names, a kids’ programme, comedy, writing workshops, poetry, feminism, trains, graphic novels and football – it’s all here!”

To find out more about this year’s festival, visit www.yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk.