MICHAEL Heseltine may have retired from the House of Commons but his name still pulls the crowds.

No tickets are left for his conversation with journalist Anthony Howard at the Ludlow Festival on June 29.

That places Lord Heseltine on a par with William Shakespeare for the July 5 production of The Merchant of Venice, which is also sold out. Festival organisers took a gamble this year by extending it from two weeks to three. Instead of one Shakespeare play, director Michael Bogdanov is also putting on The Winter's Tale.

It has proved a shrewd move as evening sales for both plays have gone well. But there are still tickets available for matinees so anyone in town for a single day can enjoy Shakespeare in two different moods at matinee and evening performances on the three Wednesdays and on June 28. Contrary to popular belief, it's not too late to book for the Grand Festival Firework Finale in the Outer Bailey of the Castle on July 13.

Administrator Malcolm Salisbury promises it will be the best ever. The accompanying programme ReelinandaRockin is an evocation of 1960s music. Among the star turns are Gerry of The Pacemakers and Mike d'Abo from Manfred Mann, plus The Nolans.