THE third Chipping Norton Literary Festival has been hailed a success by organisers - and has even been shortlisted for an award.

Known affectionately as ChipLitFest, this year's event was an extravaganza of author talks, signings, discussions and workshops and saw record ticket sales from April 24 to April 27.

This years speakers included Alan Johnson, Kate Adie, Jonathan Aitken and Tim Dowling along with events such as Crime Writing with Chief Constable of Avon & Somerset .

And as the icing on the cake this year, the festival has been shortlisted as one of three finalists in the Cultural Events and Tourism category for the Oxfordshire Business Awards.

Clare Mackintosh, Festival Director, said: "It’s a huge achievement to get this far, when you consider how many tourist attractions there are in Oxfordshire.

"That we have been shortlisted is testament to how professional and hardworking all the Festival team are, as well as our patrons, trustees, sponsors, volunteers, and of course, our speakers."

Judging for the awards will take place on June 20.