Geldof to open 'Woodstock of the Mind' festival

Irish rocker-turned-campaigner Bob Geldof has been unveiled as the unlikely choice to open this year's Hay literature festival.

The former Boomtown Rats star will kick off the cultural celebration in Segovia, Spain later this month.

The prestigious festival - nicknamed the 'Woodstock of the Mind' - traditionally takes place in Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye, but organisers hope venturing abroad will encourage new visitors.

Geldof is scheduled to lecture about his work as the founder of Live Aid.

Authors Martin Amis, Ian McEwan and Fernando Savater also feature on this year's line-up.