Book lovers will celebrate the biggest names in espionage with literary talks in Whitstable this week.

Guests are invited to the Community College Whitstable, the Horsebridge Centre and Whitstable Library to enjoy this year’s WhitLit festival.

A special James Bond-themed evening is underway at the school in Bellevue Road with speakers discussing the work and life of author Ian Fleming.

For young readers, author Steve Cole held a talk from 4pm about his challenge writing exciting adventures featuring a teenage Bond and how he has been inspired by Fleming.

Fleming’s biographer Andrew Lycett will reveal The Man Behind Bond from 6.30pm until 7.30pm and Matthew Parker will look at the Kent-based author’s more famous home – Goldeneye in Jamaica from 7.45pm until 8.45pm.

The finale of the evening will be Mr Lycett interviewing Fleming’s step-daughter Fionn Morgan, who spent time with him in Kent over the years.

She gives a unique insight into the real Fleming as a writer, father and husband.

For non-Bond fans there is plenty on offer at WhitLit.

Last night bestselling author Joanne Harris, who wrote Chocolat – which was turned into a film with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp – was in conversation at the school from 7pm to 8pm.

On Wednesday, visitors enjoyed a special 007 concert with themes such as Goldfinger and From Russia With Love by he 1st Whitstable Scout Band.

But this weekend sees most of the festival transfer to the Horsebridge Centre and Whitstable Library in Oxford Street.

People are encouraged to head to both buildings throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday to hear discussions on a range of subjects from Suffragettes and Tudor queens to Shakespeare and Down From Londoners.

Visitors can hear different speakers between 10.30am and 8.30pm at the Horsebridge Centre tomorrow and Sunday.

These include Philip Hensher tomorrow at 6pm, who was named one of the 20 best authors of the decade in the Granta literary magazine and shortlisted for a Booker Prize.

And screenwriter Glen Laker, of ITV hit detective show Vera, from 7.30pm tomorrow, who will be talking to former EastEnders screenwriter Julie Wassmer about crime fiction and writing for TV.

A local author will reveal all about her controversial blog on Sunday.

Alison Dilnutt created "Living the Dreamdfl" with posts from fictional filmmaker Conrad ‘CK’ Blaine about being a Down from Londoner.

She will be talking about creating the character of Blaine, the DFL debate, living in Whitstable, and real life incidents and characters that inspired the book.

Whitstable Library will also host speakers from 10.30am until 8.30pm tomorrow including Michael Smith at 1.30pm tomorrow who will talk about his new book on explorer Ernest Shackleton.

It will also hold the town read debate about Ian Fleming's Goldfinger from 10am until 11am on Sunday.

Visit the festival's website for the full programme.