THIS year's Borders Book Festival is set to be the biggest, best and most diverse yet.

Comedy genius John Cleese, chatshow legend Michael Parkinson and South Bank Show stalwart Melvyn Bragg are just a few of the big names appearing in Melrose this summer.

From the Thursday evening's opening chapter through to the Sunday night climax, organisers have packed in award-winning authors, television celebrities, historians, politicians, sports stars, musicians and a few cartoon characters to make sure book-lovers of all ages are entertained.

The anti-authoritarian discourse of Richard Holloway will make waves on Thursday in the Harmony Marquee, while two of the four Mums in a Boat, Helen Butters and Janette Benaddi, will attempt to row through them across the lawn in the Brewin Dolphin Marquee.

Radio 4's James Naughtie will discuss Donald Trump while Suzie Wilde casts her eye further back to another terrifying threat, the Vikings.

Friday's eclectic line-up includes the marvellous Melvyn Bragg, Scotland's most famous sporting mum, Judy Murray, to discus her memoirs, Knowing the Score, and Geoff Allan blethering about The Scottish Bothy Bible.

Former political heavyweights Michael Moore and Douglas Alexander share Saturday's stage for some post-election reflection, while Rory Bremner, as himself, will host John Cleese for evening of conversation.

Authors Joanne Trollope and Val McDermid along with Masterchef judge Jay Rayner will also appear during the Saturday.

Adventurer Steve Backshall makes a welcome return to Harmony Gardens on the Sunday.

Gardening guru Carol Klein, crime novelist Ann Cleeves and the ever-popular Michael Parkinson will also appear throughout the final day.

This year's Borders Book Festival runs from Thursday, June 15 to Sunday, June 18.