One of Britain's most famous novelists is heading to Folkestone next month for an 'in conversation' event.

Sir Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse, will visit one of the town's theatres in October.

The talk entitled 'Michael Morpurgo - Sea and Sympathy' will feature the writer in conversation with Nicolette Jones.

Jones is the author of the award-winning history book The Plimsoll Sensation, about the Victorian philanthropist and champion of sailors’ safety Samuel Plimsoll.

She initiated the Folkestone Plimsoll Memorial Campaign some years ago, which commemorates the humanitarian who lived his last years in Folkestone and is buried at St Martin’s Church, Cheriton. It is now run by a committee.

She is also the Children’s Books Editor of The Sunday Times.

Sir Michael, who has penned more than a hundred other children's books, is appearing in support of the campaign.

The 74-year-old is set to discuss common ground with Jones about ‘sea and sympathy’ and consider his interest in maritime history, his love of the sea and social justice.

Some of his books set at sea include Kensuke’s Kingdom, Alone on a Wide, Wide Sea and Kaspar.

His stories Prince of Cats and Listen to the Moon are about the sunken ocean liners the Titanic and the Lusitania.

Sir Michael attended King's School in Canterbury from 1957 to 1962 and started writing when he taught at Wickhambreaux Primary School in just outside of the city, after disliking many of the things that he read to his classes.

War Horse, which was turned in a National Theatre play and a blockbuster Steven Spielberg film, celebrated its 10th anniversary on stage with a national tour that started at the Marlowe Theatre in October last year.

The play is returning to the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury on the tour from February 27 to March 16 2019.

He was knighted in March of this year alongside Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr, and revealed earlier this year that he had radiotherapy in 2017 to treat cancer of the larynx.

The author is also a supporter of the Shorncliffe Trust, which seeks to preserve the legacy Shorncliffe Garrison, near where the Tower Theatre is based.

The trust say it played a key part in military history, which could be lost forever with the majority of barracks earmarked for housing.

A charity screening of War Horse was held for the Trust at the weekend at the Silver Screen cinema in Folkestone.

He now lives in Devon, was Children's Laureate from 2003 to 2005.

A selection of Michael Morpurgo’s books will be on sale before and after the event.

Details

The event takes place at The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe in Folkestone, at 5pm on Tuesday, October 16.

Tickets are reportedly selling quickly for the event.

Adult tickets can be purchased for £10, while children aged eight to 14 can attend for £5 each.

The event is recommended for eight years and upwards.

The conversation begins at 5pm and doors open from 4pm.

The event will last for approximately one hour.

For more information and to book, visit www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk