SUPERMODEL Jerry Hall and superstar novelist Jilly Cooper are sure to be sell-out, glamorous crowd pleasers at this year's Ledbury Poetry Festival.

After months of negotiations, both high-profile attractions signed for this summer's festival just days before the programme went to press.

Festival director Chloe Garner said: "Jerry Hall, who lives in Richmond, was writing a column for the Independent and she mentioned that she had been on an Arvon writing course with Hugo Williams, because she really loves his poems, as that she is writing poetry herself."

The "ex" of both Mick Jagger and Brian Ferry wrote: "I am exploring new things like writing poetry. It is my catharsis."

She is known to occasionally mention rock stars in her verses.

Now Miss Hall has agreed to appear in Ledbury, to share her love of poetry and self-expression, much to the delight of Chloe, who is a huge admirer of the Texan celebrity.

She said: "She's a great and beautiful fifty year old; a feisty single mum, forging ahead with her own career, after Mick. She's quite inspiring."

One of Miss Hall's most recent successes was performing as Mrs Robinson in a Broadway production of "The Graduate".

She will appear will Peter Florence, the actor and director of the Hay Festival, to discuss their favourite "desert island" poems.

The venue will be the John Masefield High School, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on Friday, July 6, and it is hoped that Miss Hall will recite some of her own poetry.

Jilly Cooper will also reveal her desert island poems in Ledbury's Community Hall, from 2pm on Sunday, July 1.

The best-selling author of "The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous", "Rivals", "Polo" and "Wicked" will reveal her love of celebrated poets including Matthew Arnold and Robert Frost.Chloe said: "This event is sure to throw up some surprises and there will be lots to interest, amuse and inspire".

The programme will be out shortly. The box officer number is 0845 458 1743.