AUTHOR and explorer Hugh Thomson launches the Words Around the World literature festival in Saffron Walden today (Friday February 27). Mr Thomson s new novel, Tequila Oil: Getting Lost in Mexico, was recently featured on Radio 4 s Book of the Week. Festiv

AUTHOR and explorer Hugh Thomson launches the Words Around the World literature festival in Saffron Walden today (Friday February 27).

Mr Thomson's new novel, Tequila Oil: Getting Lost in Mexico, was recently featured on Radio 4's Book of the Week.

Festival organiser, Jo Burch, said: "We're delighted that Hugh's new book is receiving such wide coverage - we hope that people who have heard the extracts will have been intrigued and will want to come to listen to Hugh in person. We are extremely lucky to have been able to invite him to Saffron Walden."

Tequila Oil is not only very funny but also reveals a much more dangerous side of Mexico than that seen by holiday-makers. It also explores one of the most enigmatic and least understood ancient cultures on the planet, the Maya.

Mr Thomson's appearance is part of the Harts Events Words Around the World literature festival, which runs from February 26 to March 27.

The festival includes appearances by some highly acclaimed names, such as Rasta poet Benjamin Zephaniah and local novelist Jojo Moyes.

Tickets to see Mr Thomson's event are �5. To book tickets or to find out full details of all the festival events visit www.hartsevents.co.uk, visit Harts Events at Harts' showroom on Shire Hill or call 01799 523456. Alternatively, visit the Tourist Information Centre in its temporary location behind the town hall.