THE inventor of the internet will appear at a prestigious festival this May.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee leads a line-up of some of the world's top thinkers and writers at this year's Charleston Festival at Charleston near Firle.

The 60-year-old computer scientist is regarded as one of the most influential men in history having invented the web in 1989.

He will appear at the ten day festival on May 23 as the winner of this year’s Charleston-EFG John Maynard Keynes Prize.

It is one of 39 events being held at the home of the Bloomsbury Group between May 20 and 30.

Among the others set to appear include journalist Andrew Marr, who will be talking about his main love outside of politics, poetry.

He will appear on May 26 to discuss the greats of British poetry.

Also appearing will be award-winning author Ian McEwan who will discuss the future of the planet alongside Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin Rees.

Their event, titled Our Final Century, will be held on May 23 at 5pm.

Other leading writers set to appear include Michael Morpurgo, Rose Tremain, Joan Bakewell and Graham Swift.

The 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare will be marked by events featuring Jeanette Winterson, Eileen Atkins, James Shapiro and Nicholas Hytner.

Melvyn Bragg, Caroline Moorhead and Thomas Harding will also appear to discuss their latest books and the impact of the past on the present.

On May 26 leading scholars Claire Harman and John Mullan will debate the merits of Jane Austin versus Charlotte Bronte and the following day Tony Blair’s legacy will be dissected by investigative journalist Tom Bower, former Cabinet Minister Roy Hattersley and Green MP Caroline Lucas.

Tickets go on general sale on February 22 at the Brighton Dome ticket office on 01273 707709.

Priory booking for Friends of Charleston will run from February 15 to 19.

A shuttle bus will run throughout the festival from Lewes Railway Station.

The full festival programme can be viewed online at charleston.org.uk.