FORMER Prime Minister Gordon Brown, opera star Bryn Terfel and legendary Welsh fly-half Phil Bennett are among the names appearing at this year’s Hay Festival.

The annual event that attracts thousands of visitors to Hay-on-Wye is being held this year from Thursday, May 26 to Sunday, June 5.

Bryn Terfel will close the 29th festival as he and Rebecca Evans perform solos and duets by Purcell and Mozart among others.

Another Welsh master will feature on the festival’s final weekend when Phil Bennett will share some of the best tales and traditions of his former club, Llanelli in discussion with broadcaster and journalist Alun Gibbard.

As well as debate on literature, including the legacies of Shakespeare and the Bronte sisters, the festival will feature discussion on political topics from climate change to the refugee crisis and the future of Port Talbot with its steel works under threat.

Former Labour leader Gordon Brown will appear at the festival on Saturday, June 4 for what’s billed as a ’town hall-style’ question and answer session where he will set out his case for Britain not only remaining in the European Union but "leading" the continent.

The following day those who favour Britain’s withdrawal from the EU will take to the festival stage.

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, Labour MP Kate Hoey who was sports minister under Tony Blair and Munira Mirza, London’s deputy mayor for education and culture will present ’The case for Brexit’.

The festival programme describes them as: "A panel of the smartest OUT-ers."

Economics is a major theme of this year’s event, former Bank of England governor Mervyn King and journalist Paul Mason are appearing separately to discuss the future of capitalism.

One of the festival’s star attractions is the economist and former finance minister in Greece’s anti-austerity Syriza government Yanis Varoufakis.

The talk by the motorbike riding lecturer turned politician, who has been described as "the emerging rock star of Europe’s anti-austerity uprising", has already sold out.

The world of film is represented by Oscar-winning American Beauty director Sam Mendez who has also directed the last two Bond Films. He will discuss directing for stage and screen.

Evening performers include a range of comedy and musical acts, including Isy Suttie, from Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show, Dara O Briain and Shazia Mirza who examines "life, love and Jihadi brides".

American singer songwriter Suzanne Vega, who topped the UK charts in 1990 with Tom’s Diner, will appear on the Sunday night of the festival’s opening weekend.

Other musical acts playing the festival include indie band Turin Brakes, Senegalese superstar Baaba Mal whose Wednesday, June 1 concert will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3 that week, and a solo acoustic performance by Laura Marling.

Politically charged songwriter Billy Bragg will also discuss a collection of his lyrics, ’A Lover Sings’.