TWO authors have shared their wartime experiences as part of a build-up event to Chagford's first ever literary festival.

Iris Jones Simantel and Michael Henderson shared their stories at 'Evacuees Stories' on December 13. Both were evacuated during the second world war, Iris, aged 5, to the Welsh countryside, and Michael, aged 8, to the USA.

Iris' prize-winning 2012 memoir 'Far from the East End' is a best seller, while Michael's account, 'See You After the Duration', received critical acclaim upon its publication in 2004.

The event was the latest lead-in event to the inaugural ChagWord Festival, planned for March 2013.

Among authors already booked to appear are Paula Byrne, Miriam Darlington, Jonathan Dimbleby, Chris Mullin and Malcolm Pryce.

The weekend will include a variety of workshops and other events, including a performance by LiTTLe MACHiNe, setting poetry to music. There will also be opportunities for community participation for all age groups, in particular at a 'Diary of a Day' event.