A literary festival due to be held over the VE Day bank holiday weekend has been cancelled - but organisers say people could still be able to see some of the author talks that were planned.

Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival was to have been held from Thursday, May 7 to Sunday, May 10 with authors attending including children's author Michael Morpurgo.

The festival near Edenbridge has now been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, but organisers hope to record some of the author conversations that would have been staged and broadcast them online.

Artistic director Victoria Henderson said: ‘It is with deep regret that, given the continued concern and uncertainty about the spread of the coronavirus, we have no choice but to cancel this year’s festival.

"Our primary concern is for the health of our visitors, authors, sponsors, schoolchildren, festival staff and volunteers.

"To boost morale, we also intend to record some of the planned conversations between our authors for release online during the quarantine period.

"Rather than waste this tremendous line-up of authors and books, can we also suggest you use the programme as a recommended reading list?"

You can order the reading list on from Sevenoaks Bookshop which will shortly be launching an online bookshop with a dedicated page with the festival authors’ books or you can email enquiries@sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk or call 01732 452055. They will also deliver free to those in the Sevenoaks town area and by post to others further afield.

Tickets for the schools day on the Thursday will be refunded and organisers hope that friends and sponsors will continue their support for next year's festival but have also appealed for donations.

To see the programme and pick your reading list click here.

To donate to next year's festival, email Clare Proctor at accounts@chiddingstonecastle.org.uk or call 01892 870347.

For news of events and venues across Kent, and for ideas for things to do at home click here.