WINCHESTER Festival organisers are enjoying record advance ticket sales for the 2006 programme in July.

Priority bookings by patrons and friends of the festival were more than triple the previous record for the first fortnight, and this trend accelerated when public booking opened.

Talks by Maureen Lipman and Chris Patten, pictured above left, rapidly sold out, but literary fans can still get hold of tickets to hear TV war reporter Michael Buerk talking about his book The Road Taken and broadcaster Jeremy Isaacs, left, as well as evenings which include John Julius Norwich and Christopher Meyer.

Musical events include the special opening concert, the children's concert and the European Union Chamber Orchestra, pictured above.

Two events are performed in the Cathedral Quire, A Little Late Night Music and the organ/trumpet recital.

Artistic director John Miller said: "After the uncertainty about whether we would be able even to present a festival this year, it is hugely encouraging for all of us that there has been such an unprecedented surge in our advance ticket sales.

"If this trend keeps up, and there is no sign of any flagging yet, we should break all our previous audience figures. This is a happy vindication of our belief that there is a real and growing demand for the Winchester Festival to continue."

The festival runs from July 7 to 16.

Booking for Claire Bloom in Shakespeare's Women can be made at the Theatre Royal Box Office 01962 840440.

All other events can be booked from the Cathedral Box Office 01962 857231.