Singing for a sup or two

Ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney is to do a poetry reading in exchange for a case of wine at the University of East Anglia next month.

Sir Paul will read from Blackbird Singing, a new anthology of his poetry and lyrics.

Chris Bigsby, professor of American studies at the university who is organising the event, said: "Universities don't have money and, anyway, what could I offer him that would induce him to come?

"He's not coming for the money, he's coming because he's decided he would like to come to a writer's festival."