A bumper line-up of online events has been announced by Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival for next month.

Following the success of the Festival’s interview with Jon Sopel last month, audiences will be able to listen in to a varied programme featuring the authors of some of this season’s most exciting reads and considering topical issues from the comfort of their own home.

The line-up includes Somerset’s nature-writer Stephen Moss and former rugby player Chris Bentley will talk to Guardian Rugby columnist Robert Kitson about his book Exe Men.

Festival Artistic Director, Annie Ashworth, said: “We are so excited to be able to bring such a packed programme of events.

“Despite live events not being possible yet and bookshops still being closed, there are some excellent books being published and authors very keen to talk about them.

“Our audiences have been so responsive to adapting to online events and we are very pleased we can bring them even more to enjoy.”

The Festival’s programme includes three events available entirely free to school, families and children home-learning that will be available from March 4 – World Book Day – until March 19.

Events for children and families include a draw-along with the multi-award-winning Rob Biddulph, author of Odd Dog Out; the Waterstones Children’s Book prize winner Sita Brahmachari, sharing her World Book Day book The River Whale.

Sue Briggs, Festival Chair, said: “This year more than ever, it is important for us to support those in our local community and beyond, and bring the joy of reading and literature and a little bit of escapism to people’s homes with our Spring Weekend of events.

“We’re thrilled to be able to share some exciting events for World Book Day for young children too, to inspire a love of words and books.”

Tickets are on sale now from www.budlitfest.org.uk and cost £8 per event, or with an additional option to buy a discounted signed book.

Books will be supplied by Winstone’s Books in Sidmouth, and event sponsors include Jurassic Kitchens.

All events for young people and families will free to view on the Festival website