Security has been tightened at a charity shop as it prepares to sell as a rare, first edition, signed copy a Graham Greene book.
In conjunction with Berkhamsted's four-day celebration of the town's most famous resident, an anonymous donor has given Oxfam, on the High Street, a copy of The Bear Fell Free.
The book is estimated to be worth more than £1,000 and can be viewed b
y appointment only in the shop.
This year's festival, which starts today, is packed with talks, discussions and screenings of the author's work.
Renowned broadcasters Libby Purves OBE, from BBC Radio 4 and The Sunday Times, and Channel Four's Jon Snow are among the many guest speakers.
Festival director Dermot Gilvary said: "In this prestigious, international literary event enthusiastic readers and film buffs will again celebrate the life and work of Graham Greene (1904-1991), England's greatest man of letters of the twentieth century."
The film adaptation of Brighton Rock, of which the book celebrates its seventieth anniversary this year, is just one of the screenings that will be shown.
It is the eleventh festival and the organisers, The Graham Greene Birthplace 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 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.
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