Journalist Polly pulls in biggest crowd yet at Wellington Literary Festival

The Guardian writer was joined by David Walker, her co-author on the book "Cameron's Coup: How the Tories took Britain to the Brink", for the event at Wrekin College's Memorial Hall, billed by organisers as the "biggest of the festival".

Councillor Pat Fairclough, chairman of the Literary Festival Committee, said the evening had been a resounding success, with around 200 people enjoying a 45-minute talk before taking part in a question and answer session.

She said: "It is by far the biggest event of the festival. Mrs Toynbee said they wanted to sit on the stage together to talk about how they see the political situation before taking questions from the floor."

Councillor Fairclough said the audience had engaged in "a good question and answer session".

She said: "We try to do that each time, give people a chance to engage with the authors."

Councillor Fairclough said Mrs Toynbee and Mr Walker had proved a big hit with the audience. She said: "There was a very interesting discussion towards the end about our voting system and the need for reform."

The three-week festival is now into its final week with one of the remaining highlights set to be Selwyn Goodacre, past chairman of the Lewis Caroll Society, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the publication of 'Alice's adventures in wonderland' in 1865 with the talk 'Alice at 150' on Thursday.

The festival is now in its 19th year and the Wellington Town Council organised event has featured a host of respected authors.

Councillor Faircloughsaid the Literary Festival Committee had already begun considering what will happen with next year's festival – the 20th anniversary – and had been delighted to see the progress of the event.

She said: "Once this is over we will be planning our 20th festival. We cannot believe it because it was set up as a project before the millennium and next year we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary, it is amazing.

"It started off and it was only over a couple of days and it has grown and grown until it is a three-week project with nationally known figures, well-known regional authors, as well as local authors, who make a great contribution."

The three-week programme has included serious political speakers, a 150th anniversary celebration of Alice in Wonderland and scores of other talks and performances.

Councillor Fairclough has also praised Wrekin College for their support in providing a suitable venue to host big events.

She said: "Without Wrekin College putting that big hall to our use we would not be able to have an event like that.

Cancelled

"When you think of the big names we have been able to host it is very much thanks to the college for providing us the facilities to do so."

One event planned for this week has been cancelled, with Robert Rankin unable to appear on Friday due to ill health.

Councillor Fairclough said the committee wished Mr Rankin a "speedy recovery and hope to welcome him to the 20th anniversary celebrations next year".