LEDBURY Poetry Festival is looking forward to an exciting 2015, and it is secure in its funding for the next few years.

Each year the ten day festival costs over £150,000 to stage, with at least half of that coming from grant funding.

Other funding comes from ticket sales, membership fees and sponsorship.

Festival director, Chloe Garner said: "It has been an exciting year for us – with new projects and commissions and we are looking forward to 2015 secure in the knowledge we have funding from the Arts Council until 2018.

"It is harder than ever to raise funds to keep the Festival on the road so we are grateful to the Arts Council and also incredibly grateful to our supporters – many of whom not only support us financially, but give up time to help during the Festival."

The festival has offered a "sneak preview" for the 2015 event, including the announcement that Pam Ayres is to return to Ledbury for a two hour long performance and, for a limited number, a buffet supper event at the Feathers Hotel.

Big names from the poetry world will include Don Paterson and Paul Henry, and John Burnside will be the Festival poet in residence.

There will also be a strong international theme for the 2015 festival.

Organisers are promising "lots more in the pipeline" including, if funding permits, poets from the US and Canada

Ledbury Poetry Festival will also also working with nine festivals across Europe to celebrate the very best of European poetry.