Author Terry Waite kicked off a popular literature festival in Wantage today, with crowds of more than 100 people turning out to hear about his new book.

Wantage Betjeman Literary Festival began today at the Beacon with Mr Waite's talk. 

Most famous for negotiating the release of hostages around the world before being taken hostage himself for five years in 1987, Mr Waite delighted the audience with humorous snippets from his first novel, The Voyage of the Golden Handshake.

Mr Waite said: "I'm very glad to be here to support what is very much a local endeavour. The festival was organised by the people of Wantage and for the cultural benefit of the town.

"People are surprised I have written a comedy novel. But when I was in captivity, I had five years in total isolation - no books or newspapers - what I had to do in that situation is keep my active imagination alive.

"I wrote my first book entirely in my head and I've been writing ever since. 

"It's important to allow yourself to have a sense of humour. We have to learn to be able to smile. Lots of humour these days can be cynical or political or filled with sexual innuendo. I think I've gone back to good, old-fashioned British humour."

Mr Waite also spent many years working for the Anglican Church in East Africa, before being recruited by the Archbishop of Canterbury as an advisor on his private staff.

Audience member Elizabeth Shaw said she had seen the talk advertised and decided to go along with her husband David.

She said: "It looked very interesting. We'll probably get the book after as well - we're going to queue up and ask him to sign it."

The Betjeman festival runs from now until the beginning of November, with talks from authors, poets, historians and more.

Visit wantagebetjeman.com for more.