Top authors will descend on town this May when Greenwich Book Festival returns for a second year.

Following a successful run in 2015, two days of talks and topical discussion for adults and story-telling and creative workshops for children will hosted by the University of Greenwich at the Old Royal Naval College on May 27 and 28.

For the grown-ups, the line-up includes Samuel Johnson prize winner Kate Summerscale, indie icon Brix Smith-Start, ‘natural navigator’ Tristan Gooley, bestsellers Fiona Barton and Chris Cleave and comedian Sara Pascoe.

The Children’s festival includes Mr Gum creator Andy Stanton, Barry Loser aka Jim Smith, Ben Newman, Swapna Haddow and Professor Astro Cat.

The festival was the inspiration of three parents who have children at Greenwich schools: author and journalist Patricia Nicol, publisher Auriol Bishop and author and University of Greenwich lecturer Alex Pheby.

Alex, who has just published his second novel Playthings, said: “Last year’s festival went down brilliantly with visitors, and with our students.

“They gave writing workshops to local children, helped world famous authors feel at home and got completely involved with London literary life.

“More to the point, we had the chance to let the great and the good see the wealth of talent here at Greenwich. We’re all looking forward to this year’s event immensely.”

Like our What's On page on Facebook for entertainment news, interviews, reviews and features from across south London.