Bestselling authors will descend on a market town as "an exciting venture" is launched.

Beccles Library has unveiled a new book festival, in collaboration with Suffolk Libraries and Beccles Town Council, which will feature talks with four bestselling authors of historical fiction - including Simon Scarrow.

Historical novelists Matthew Harffy, Elizabeth Fremantle and Harry Sidebottom will also all feature in Beccles Book Festival - as talks are held at Hungate Hall on Saturday, December 9.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Simon Scarrow. Picture: Simon ScarrowSimon Scarrow. Picture: Simon Scarrow (Image: Simon Scarrow)

Simon Scarrow - whose books have sold over five million copies and include his Eagles of the Empire novels featuring Roman soldiers Maco and Cato - will also be part of the festival as an earlier talk is held at Blyburgate Hall on Wednesday, November 22.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Elizabeth Fremantle. Picture: Elizabeth FremantleElizabeth Fremantle. Picture: Elizabeth Fremantle (Image: Elizabeth Fremantle)

One of Elizabeth Freemantle’s books, Queen’s Gambit, has been made into a film called Firebrand which is due to be released this autumn starring Jude Law and Alicia Vikander.

Sharon Chapman, executive library manager and manager of Beccles Library, said: "We’re thrilled to be working with the trustees of the Beccles Library Community Trust on such an exciting venture, especially with such wonderful authors choosing to visit our lovely market town.

"We are all sure it will be hugely supported by our customers and local businesses and hope to grow the Beccles Book Festival in the future."

Lisa Brennan, Suffolk Libraries content and reader development librarian and organiser of the events, added: "It's very exciting to be launching this new book festival in Beccles."

Each event will include a talk by the author followed by a Q&A with the audience and a book signing.

The full programme for the festival will see Simon Scarrow at Blyburgate Hall at 6.30pm on Wednesday, November 22. Ticket price: £10.

On Saturday, December 9, at Hungate Hall, Matthew Harffy will talk at 1pm, with Elizabeth Fremantle at 3pm and Harry Sidebottom at 5pm.

Each of these events is £10 with the option to buy a ticket for all three for £25.

Tickets are available online https://www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/whats-on/festival/beccles-historical-festival