Red Funnel has been announced as title sponsor of 2017's Isle of Wight Literary Festival, now in its sixth year.

The Red Funnel Isle of Wight Literary Festival takes place from 12th - 15th October across various venues in Cowes, including Northwood House and will welcome big names such as Andrew Marr, Dame Jenni Murray and Val McDermid to the Island, as well as a host of other authors and literary figures.

Red Funnel’s title sponsorship announcement coincides with the addition of a further six names to the programme:

  •   Peter Conradi, author of Who Lost Russia? How the World Entered a New Cold War
  •   Oliver James, author of Not In Your Genes
  •   Julie Myerson, author of The Stopped Heart
  •   Lord Strathcarron, author of Never Fear – Reliving the Life of Sir Frances Chichester
  •   Simon Heffer, author of The Age of Decadence: Britain 1880 to 1914
  •   John Carey, Emeritus Professor of English Literature at Oxford University, and author of The Essential Paradise Lost.

Tickets for the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Literary Festival will go on sale on 14th August, when the full programme of speakers will also be confirmed. Full details of the ticket sales process and all speakers announced to date can be found online at www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com.

Red Funnel will also be launching travel offers to coincide with tickets going on sale, including 20% off vehicle returns from Southampton to East Cowes for Literary Festival ticket holders, which will be bookable in advance.

There will also be two foot passenger offers available for attendees; a £9 day return and a £12 weekend return; both of which will be available on departure and will take passengers straight to Cowes in under 25 minutes via the Hi-Speed Red Jet service. All offers will apply to travel between 11th and 16th October.

Jonathan Green, marketing and communications director at Red Funnel, said: "Having supported the Isle of Wight Literary Festival from the outset, Red Funnel is delighted to enhance its support through title sponsorship this year. With a diverse and impressive programme the festival helps to showcase the Island's rich literary history, as well as working closely with young residents through the schools programme.

"Our range of offers will make it easy and cost-effective for mainland residents to get to the Literary Festival with the option of a day return for under £10 or savings on longer stays for those wanting to make a long weekend of it, allowing visitors to take in more of the festival as well as exploring the rest of the Island".

Maggie Ankers, chair of the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Literary Festival, said: "We are delighted to have Red Funnel on board as our title sponsor as the company has supported us since the beginning of the festival in 2012. We look forward to steaming ahead with Red Funnel into the future, bringing a wealth of diversity and talent to the Island and providing a valuable cultural experience for all".