AN INSPIRING line-up of guest speakers has just been announced for the opening festival at Southend's brand new £25million library.

Tickets will go on sale from 9am on Thursday  for this eclectic programme at The Forum Southend.

Among the featured speakers will be politician and broadcaster Michael Portillo, BBC Journalist George Alagiah and 2012 Turner prize winner Elizabeth Price – whose work is among the first to be exhibited in the new Focal Point Gallery within The Forum.

Professor Brian Cox will kick off the programme and also officially open the library on September 30.

The easiest way to buy tickets for events at the 200-seater lecture theatre inside the building is via www.theforumsouthend.co.uk

The programme at at the library funded by Southend Council, South Essex College and University of Essex in Elmer Square, Southend, is as follows:

• Professor Brian Cox, scientist – September 30

• Wendy Cope, poet – October 6

• Dr Pam Cox, historian – October 11

• Paul Collicutt, graphic artist – October 12

• Cherry Sandover, fine art lecturer - October 12

• Jason Fergus, Director of Active Essex – October 17

• Professor Jules Pretty, Professor of Environment and Society – October 31

• Gallery talk – November 2

• Michael Portillo, politician – November 8

• Stella Harcourt – Child reading expert – November 12

• Elizabeth Price – artist – November 14

• George Alagiah – journalist – November 15

• Camila Batmanghelidjh – founder of Kids’ Company – November 21