Cliveden Literary Festival is in full swing with attendees including the award-winning journalist and broadcaster Emily Maitlis.

This newspaper secured an exclusive interview with Mrs Maitlis, who shared her thoughts on the importance of local news.

She said: "I think it is really important that we invest in local news altogether.

"You have only got to see for example what happens when the prime minister goes and talks to, whether it's local papers or local radio stations, and people are able to ask questions that actually speak directly to their concerns locally that you understand how difficult it is often for those in power to answer the questions directly."

With some areas now being left without a reliable local news source, concerns have been raised around increased corruption and conspiracies arising due to the absence of reporters holding people in power to account.

Mrs Maitlis added: "I think what you don't want is a big gap between what people are feeling on the ground and what people in power are telling you.

"I think the local journalists do a really important and responsible role there which is being the trusted voices of communications, interrogation, of reporting, and I think that's where you stop conspiracy from growing and I think that is very important."

Cliveden Literary Festival began today (Saturday, September 30) and is set to continue tomorrow (Sunday, October 1).