RADIO CHOICE

■ BEN OKRI’S novels and poems are set in a world where spirits and humans coexist, not always peacefully, and the boundaries between facts and myths are blurred. His new book, written for both adults and children, is a love letter to nature, full of wonder. Ben talks to MARK FORREST (SCALA RADIO, 10AM) about the book, which has the glorious title Every Leaf A Hallelujah.

■ ALEX (Will Merrick, pictured) works night shifts at a lonely petrol station in the continuing, unorthodox love story THE ATTENDANT (RADIO 4, 2.15PM). He has no friends, and longs for someone to share his life with. The only voice he hears during the long nights is that of a smiley-faced vacuum cleaner called Keith. Alex clearly needs a special someone in his life — could

cycling-mad Ella (Patricia Allison) be that someone?

■ SUSAN OGILVY is a botanical illustrator who produces works of great beauty and precision. When she found a chaffinch nest that had been blown out of a tree by a storm, she was entranced by the way the nest had been constructed. For this week’s OPEN COUNTRY (RADIO 4, 3PM), Susan, who has produced some exquisite drawings and paintings of these nests, talks about the architectural skill of birds, and explains why she finds nests so inspiring.