Those seeking spiritual as well as literary inspiration and refreshment will be welcomed by parishioners in Hay-on-Wye in Wales during its internationally-acclaimed book festival which starts this weekend.

The three churches in Hay and one in Capel-y-Ffin will all be open throughout the week offering worship and refreshments.

Parish priest, Father Richard Williams, assisted by his well known “curate” - a poodle called Jimmy – has also arranged special events to tie in with the festival theme.

Christianity is high up on the Hay Festival agenda this year with two senior figures from the Anglican church taking part on the stage.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will be discussing Dostoevsky with AN Wilson while Bishop Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, will be giving the Hamlin Lecture.

The Archbishops will also co-host the luncheon for the Michael Ramsey Prize for the best theological book published in the last two years.

Fr Richard says, “We are looking forward to welcoming people to our churches in Hay next week. It seems to me sometimes that living in Hay we are awash with words. The Church lays great claim on words spoken and written.

"The person who spoke the words recorded in the Gospels is understood to be the very Word of God – Jesus Christ.

"The work of the church and this parish is to make His word, His voice heard to lives touched by His love of us and our love of Him.”