Renowned broadcasters Libby Purves OBE, from BBC Radio 4 and The Sunday Times, and Channel Four's Jon Snow are among many guests speaking at this year's Graham Greene festival.

The four-day event, which starts next Thursday, looks at the life and work of Greene (1904-1991), who was born in the town.

From novelist and playwright to M16 agent, some of his most notorious works include Brighton Rock, The Power and the Glory and The Third Man.

Last year 150 people, including members of the Greene family, attended and organisers, The Graham Greene Birthplace Trust, hope the eleventh annual festival will be just as successful.

Festival director Dermot Gilvary said: "In this prestigious, international literary event enthusiastic readers and film buffs again will celebrate the life and work of Graham Greene, England's greatest man of letters of the twentieth century."

There will be film screenings, talks, discussions and a celebration of the seventieth anniversary of the publication of Brighton Rock.

The trust is also trying to encourage young people to get involved.

Trust treasurer Colin Garrett explained: "As an expression of the festival's commitment to the education, we are offering persons aged twenty-one years and below free admission to all talks at the festival and to the two films at the Civic Centre."

The various events will be held between the Town Hall, The Rex Cinema, the Civic Centre, The King's Arms and Berkhamsted Collegiate School, where Greene was born and where his father Charles was headmaster.

For tickets contact Mr Garrett on 01442-866694.

Alternatively, email treasurer@grahamgreenebt.org.

For more information visit www.grahamgreenefestival.org.