THIS year's Bradford Literature Festival has been hailed as the most successful yet after attendance almost doubled to over the 100,000 mark.

This year, 110,000 people attended the city centre festival - up from 57,000 in 2022. 

The ninth festival featured 500 events between June 23 and July 2 and attracted high-profile speakers including Sir Michael Palin, Adam Kay, Anita Rani and Sir Lenny Henry.

Organiser Syima Aslam told the Telegraph & Argus: "This year has been a true return to normal, we have smashed all our previous figures.

"Our aim for this year was 80,000. The audience numbers are a testament to how much the festival is appreciated, wanted, and needed.

"The feedback we have had back from both artists and audiences has been really lovely."

The distinctive festival hub was once again in Centenary Square.

It was home to a pop-up book store selling works by the various authors and speakers attending the festival.

The National Literacy Trust’s Stories Bus was based in City Park throughout the festival.

Syima added: "People were stopping me after the events saying they feel the festival is the jewel in Bradford's cultural crown.

"The festival was set up to highlight the city as a visitor destination. The aim has always been to be an international literature festival that is bringing people in from around the world.

"The other side is making sure we engage with young people to raise aspiration and literacy levels."

Since its inception, the Bradford Literature Festival has experienced a surge in popularity.

Its ethical ticketing policy, which provides free or discounted tickets to those who might otherwise have been unable to attend, means people are not excluded from accessing the events on offer.

Syima said: "In Bradford, we have had centuries of migration from a range of communities - highlighting that is very important. 

"I spoke to a young man originally from Bradford who is now based in London.

"He said those of us who are down there, really appreciate the festival because people talk about it there, it makes us really proud to be part of the city.

"We have come tremendously far over the years. My goal has always been to be brilliant at what we do."