AS last minute preparations for this weekend's Latitude Festival get under way, more famous names have been added to the impressive line-up.

Mark Lord

AS last minute preparations for this weekend's Latitude Festival get under way, more famous names have been added to the impressive line-up.

Promoters have announced a whole host of new additions to the festival, which takes place at Henham Park, near Southwold.

It is famed for its family-friendly atmosphere and a bill which boasts as many stars from the worlds of theatre, comedy and literature, as it does from music.

Expected to be one of the highlights of this year's arts and culture festival, actor Joseph Fiennes will discuss the making of his new film The Escapist as part of the programme of events organised by Bafta.

Mr Fiennes will talk about the film, which offers a bleak view of prison life, with producer Adrian Sturges and will be interviewed at the festival by Observer and Mail on Sunday film critic Jason Solomons.

The festival runs from Thursday night to Sunday and will include music from Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand and 80s legends Blondie and comedy from Bill Bailey and Ross Noble.

Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinda Chadha will also be at the festival to talk to comedian Alan Davies about her new teenage film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. A pre-release screening of the film will also take place on Sunday morning.

Film fans will also be able to find out what inspires screen writer Patrick Marber, who adapted Notes on a Scandal and Closer for the big screen.

Mr Marber will be appearing in the music and film arena on Saturday.

Among the latest acts taking to the two musical arenas are Beautiful South frontman Paul Heaton , who will be playing songs from his debut solo album.

Others include singer Beth Rowley and Julian Cope , who has gained fame for both his music and for his books including The Modern Antiquarian.

Latitude is also throwing its spotlights on some of the best local talent including Tom Baxter and Beth Orton and the up and coming over at The Lake Stage, where BBC Introducing will be presenting, among others, Cheeky Cheeky And The Nosebleeds The Kabeedies and Bearsuit .

Visit the Latitude website at www.latitudefestival.co.uk for more information and the festival's full line-up.