LAUREN Laverne kicks off BBC Radio 6 Music's Valentine's special on Thursday with plenty of music throughout the day to get listeners in the mood. The Valentine’s vibe continues through the day in Mary Anne Hobbs, Shaun Keaveny and Steve Lamacq’s shows. The station will be tearing up the playlist and devoting the day to alternative love songs - think Maps by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Something Changed by Pulp and many more 'hearty' tunes. Lauren's on air from 7.30am-10.30am.

BARROW poet Kate Davis headlines the Poem and a Pint midwinter extravaganza, staged at Ulverston's Laurel and Hardy Museum on Saturday, February 23. Kate presents parts of her new book, The Girl Who Forgets How To Walk. As usual for a PP gig the poetry and prose will flow, and Kate will be supported by poems from the Poem and a Pint Committee, music from duo Sarsaparilla, plus the inimitable Ross Baxter will be MC.

LITFEST’S 40th festival promises to be bigger and better, running from Friday, March 8 until Sunday, March 31. Among the scores of literary gems included in the Lancaster festival will be a talk on Vlogging from Hannah Hodgson (Saturday, March 23), one the region's rising young poetry stars, and a sensational gala event in the evening of Saturday, March 30 (7pm), featuring the triumphant return of king of poets, Roger McGough, with music from poetry band Little Machine. To book and for further festival information telephone 01524-582394.