A HOST of star names and heavy weight thinkers have hit Hay-on-Wye for the town's 25th annual literary festival.

Acclaimed US actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte was the star attraction on Saturday, the festival's third day, as he launched his autobiography and was in discussion with the MP David Lammy.

Torchwood star John Barrowman was also spotted in town as the http://www.hayfestival.com/wales/index.aspx?skinid=2&currencysetting=GBP&localesetting=en-GB&resetfilters=true&quot">http://www.hayfestival.com/wales/index.aspx?skinid=2&currencysetting=GBP&localesetting=en-GB&resetfilters=true" target="_blank">Hay Festival kicked off. Star attractions at the festival included comedian David Walliams and John Challis, who played Boycie in sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

Running alongside the event is the http://howthelightgetsin.org/&quot">http://howthelightgetsin.org/" target="_blank">How The Light Gets in Festival, which bills itself as the world's largest philosophy and music festival. It also attracted star names, with former Pop Idol Will Young playing a low key gig at the Globe.

With both festivals running side by side, the town has attracted two of Wales' best known female singers. Former Catationia lead singer Cerys Matthews will play the main festival on Thursday night (June 7) while one time child opera star Charlotte Church performs at the Globe, for How The Light Gets in on Sunday, June 10.

Local highlights at the Hay Festival include essayist Karl Miller discussing writings about the Black Mountains on Wednesday, June 6 and a chance to meet the trustees and directors of the Hay Castle Trust, discussing their plans for the restoration of the town's medieval castle.

Edmund Inkin, of the Felin Fach Griffin, was also due to take part in a discussion about the restaurant industry in Wales with other chefs from top Welsh eateries.

Hay based singer songwriter Alex Valentine is due to feature as part of the festival's tribute to classic American folk singer Woody Gutherie while Brecon based singer Tanya Walker presentins her Breaking the Fear Wall project, featuring local choirs, live rock and film imagery on Wednesday, June 6.

Beacons author Adele Nozedar also presented her Hedgerow Handbook of recipes and remedies while Hay horror author Phil Rickman was due to discuss his latest novel.

This Sunday, June 10 Labour peer David Lipsey, who lives in Talgarth, will join with former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, as both men discuss their newly published autobiographies.