The first big names attending this year's Ilkley Literature Festival have been announced, as Bradford's own book event looks to have reached The End.

Among those attending the 35th literature festival in Ilkley this October include Commonwealth Writers Prize winner Louis de Bernieres, last British Governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten, Yorkshire poet Ian Macmillan and the BBC's chief news correspondent, Kate Adie.

Bradford has run its own book festival in recent years, traditionally in June, but nothing has been announced for this summer.

It was previously organised by Bradford Council's former reading development officer Paula Truman, who moved on from the authority last year. A Bradford Council spokesman could not confirm whether the event was going ahead or not.

At Ilkley, Mr de Bernieres will present his new novel, A Partisan's Daughter, while Miss Adie is publicising her new book, Into Danger: People Who Risk Their Lives for Work.

Festival director Rachel Feldberg said: "We are thrilled to announce the first of the confirmed authors coming to Ilkley in October. It's already shaping up to be another very exciting line-up - with something for everyone, young and old; first-timers and regular attendees, and we still have over 110 more authors to announce. This is going to continue Ilkely Literature Festival's great tradition of showing the best in contemporary literature."

Celebrating the National Year of Reading and October's theme of Storytelling will be Hugh Lupton, with a performance exploring troubled poet John Clare.

Winner of the 2007 William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2007, Duncan Hamilton, will talk about writing sports biographies Other highlights include:

  • Former children's poet laureate Michael Morpurgo at two events, one for local primary schools and another for families.
  • Geneticist Professor Steve Jones, presenter of the TV series In the Blood, talking about evolution and creationism.
  • Katherine Holabird, the creator of children's favourite Angelina Ballerina.
  • Kate Atkinson, talking about her new novel When Will There Be Good News?, featuring her popular character Jackson Brodie.
  • Travel writer Carol Drinkwater on her journey to find olive groves round the Mediterranean.
  • Horrid Histories and Science illustrators Martin Brown and Tony de Soulis.

Tickets will be available from Tuesday, August 26 and the festival runs from Friday, October 3, to Sunday, October 19.

Contact the Ilkley Literature Festival via ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk or by calling (01943) 816 714.

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