Rocker Suzi Quatro and a symphony orchestra’s UK premiere are among the highlights of this year’s Canterbury Festival.

Brochures with full details of more then 200 events are now available.

A diverse mix of the arts including theatre, classical music, dance, world music, literature, talks, visual arts, walks and the youth-driven Festival Fringe, has been lined up.

Top names include Suzi Quatro, comedian Sandi Toksvig, historian David Starkey and Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen.

The Cathedral will be the setting for the UK premiere performance by The Symphony Orchestra of Albanian Radio Television.

And global music phenomenon Jose Gonzalez will be performing at the Marlowe Theatre.

This year the festival’s focus will be turning to all things literary with a number of new events as it links with the Man Booker Prize for the first time in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Providing fun for all the family there is the lively and colourful festival parade, which brings music and movement from across the globe to the city streets and Dane John Gardens on the opening day.

Before the festival there is the world premiere of the Cathedral play Dallas Sweetman.

Written by Sebastian Barry, it has been commissioned by Canterbury Cathedral and Canterbury Festival.

The production will take place in the nave from September 24 to 28 and tickets are available from the festival box office.

The festival runs from October 11 to 25. Tickets available from Canterbury Information Centre, Sun Street, 01227 378188 or at www.canterburyfestival.co.uk