Germaine Greer due to give Wellington Literary Festival talk

Organisers have announced that Germaine Greer will be one of the three main speakers at this year's event, which will have powerful women as the theme.

The outspoken feminist will open the 17th Wellington Literary Festival.

The author hit the headlines in 1970 with her controversial best seller The Female Eunuch, making her a household name.

Her strong views has made the feminist a popular guest on various television shows, such as Have I Got News For You, The Review Show and Question Time.

It will be the second time the Australian academic appears at the popular festival. She last attended in 2007, when she released her book Shakespeare's Wife.

The festival is organised by Wellington Town Council, and Councillor Pat Fairclough said Ms Greer enjoyed the festival six years ago.

Councillor Fairclough said: "She was fantastic last time we had her on a few years ago and she will be opening this year's festival.

"She seemed to really enjoy the Wellington Literary Festival. I think she appreciates that the festival is focused on the artists and the books rather than just selling books."

The festival, which takes place in the first three weeks of October, will officially be launched on August 24, when the full line-up of speakers and events will be revealed.

Councillor Fairclough said: "We are delighted Germaine Greer is opening the festival, which will be all about powerful women, but obviously we will have male speakers too."

Ms Greer's speech will be a ticketed event, held at Wrekin College Memorial Theatre.

Councillor Fairclough said the tickets will be free but, because there are only a limited number of seats, people will have to register for tickets at Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre.