Joanna Lumley and Jim Broadbent are among the stars hoping to take the words of Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Blake and Betjeman into the album charts.

The pair have given their voices to an album of seasonal poetry set to classical music, called Christmas Words For You, which is to be released next month.

Also on the album - which follows up the popular 2007 album Words For You - are TV stars Stephen Tompkinson and Hermione Norris.

A total of 22 poems have been included and set to familiar tunes such as Joy To The World, Silent Night and The Holly And The Ivy.

Lumley - who also featured on the 200,000-selling Words For You - said: "There is a magic about Christmas that transcends centuries and this album demonstrates that the words of over 500 years ago are as relevant today as they were then."

Her contributions include Shakespeare's Heigh Ho, The Holly set to the music of Ding Dong Merrily On High.

It is due for release by Sony Music on November 17.