ONE of television’s best-known faces graced the stage in Keswick, as Chris Tarrant kicked off the town’s popular literary festival.

The former who Wants to Be a Millionaire? presenter was sharing his adventures of travelling the world’s railway tracks as part of Words by the Water at Theatre by the Lake.

The 70-year-old, who took to the stage last night, was one of the names organisers had been hoping to get on the bill in previous years and they were thrilled that this year he accepted their invitation.

Kay Dunbar, one of the festival’s directors, said: “We’ve tried before to get him involved and it was just a stroke of luck that he chose to do it at this stage.

“There’s always a collection of people you feel would enrich the festival and we decided he was one person who was a bit of a household name. So we were really pleased to have him.

“It’s a good start to the festival and we like a good start.”

Tarrant shared his tales of travel and adventure, as documented in Channel 5’s Chris Tarrant’s Extreme Railway Journeys.

Words by the Water is set to attract about 15,000 people over the next nine days and boasts more than 100 events.

Writers including Melvyn Bragg, Peter Snow, Salley Vickers and Alan Johnson will also be attracting fans as part of the mixed programme in the theatre’s main house.

Ticket sales are up on last year by at least 1,000.

Meg Eyre, marketing manager at Theatre by the Lake, said: “We love this festival. It has been a big part of Theatre by the Lake’s programme for a long time.

“It always sells very well and it always sells very quickly.

“On the first day of booking it goes a bit crazy with people wanting to get in to see some of the really great names.

“From the theatre’s perspective it’s a wonderful thing to host in Keswick. We know our audiences love it and long may it continue.”

Harriet Harman, the longest-serving female MP, discussed the challenges of campaigning with small children and her battle to increase the number of women in Parliament earlier in the day on Friday.

Kay added: “We have a very good reception in Cumbria. Cumbrian people just loved the idea that there’s all these people.

“And it’s live performances, it’s not rehearsed and it’s totally spontaneous. People like that.”

She said they were “delighted” to be back in Cumbria adding: “Keswick is lovely and it’s nice to be able to invite writers and say it is the most stunning environment and lovely place.”

The festival, which is in its 16th year, also includes themed days, held in the studio, which are an attraction for those who want to indulge in a particular interest.

The event runs until March 12.

For more details visit www.wayswithwords.co.uk