Coastal town prepares for popular festival

A popular annual crime writers' festival will return this weekend.

The Slaughter in Southwold festival returns for its sixth instalment as numerous well-known local and national crime writers are set to give talks at the event on June 16 and June 17.

The event takes place at Southwold Arts Centre and is part of Southwold Arts Festival. Slaughter in Southwold is organised by Southwold library manager Charlotte Clark with support from the Friends of Southwold Library and the Crime Writers Association.

This year, crime fiction fans can meet Stella Rimington, Sophie Hannah, Mark Billingham, Martyn Waites, Robert Goddard, Simon Scarrow, Peter Guttridge, Edward Wilson and Mary-Jane Riley.

There will also be a range of other activities on offer including a Murder Mystery Night – which is held on Friday, June 15 at 7pm – based on The Wenlock Mummy by Elly Griffiths, a crime quiz on Saturday, June 16 at 7pm and a chance to have lunch with the visiting authors.

Southwold Library Manager Charlotte Clark said: 'I'm really excited about this year's programme, which is bigger and better than ever. The event is a big part of the Suffolk calendar now and I hope as many people as possible come along to Southwold and enjoy it.'

Tickets cost £5 per talk, £15 per day or £30 for the weekend (lunches not included). Lunches with the authors cost £10, provided by Café 51 and Mark's Fish Shop.

Book tickets at the library,call 01502 722519 or online via www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/slaughter