Canterbury Festival playwright Sebastian Barry has been tipped to win next month’s Man Booker Prize.

His book The Secret Scripture has been shortlisted for the award and declared favourite to win by bookies William Hill.

The novel is an alternative history of Ireland, told through the journals of a nonagenarian, who has spent most of her life in a mental hospital, and her psychiatrist.

The Man Booker Prize winner will be announced on Tuesday, October 14.

Mr Barry was commissioned by Canterbury Festival to write a play for this year’s event.

Dallas Sweetman will be performed in the Cathedral from September 24-28. It makes use of many of the musical aspects of the building, including the organ and the choristers.

•For more on the festival, which runs from October 11-25, see this week’s Kentish Gazette, out on Thursday