EXCITEMENT is mounting behind the scenes at Ilkley Literature Festival - as it promises to be the most successful yet.

Dominic Gregory, director of the event, which kicks off tomorrow (Friday), said demand for tickets was so high some events had already sold out.

He said: "It is going very well. Obviously, there are lots of events that have not sold out and it would be great if they could.

"I am happy but I am not ecstatic yet. The more the merrier. There is plenty of room for audiences."

Mr Gregory said the profile of the festival had risen dramatically nationally and people are expected to descend on Ilkley from all around the country.

He said: "It has been quite noticeable this year, and this is something Ilkley Tourist Information Centre can confirm, that there have been lots of enquires beyond Ilkley, Bradford and Leeds.

"Our local audience is still our most important audience but we are taking orders from all over the country and this is a change, certainly in my time, and is quite exciting."

Mr Gregory, who has organised the festival for the last five years, said he was pleased the event would give a boost to shops, hotels and restaurants in the town.

He said: "It will have a demonstrable effect on the local economy, especially with the foot and mouth crisis still going on. It is proof that the festival is not just about art. It is something that can benefit everybody not just people who like books.

"It brings people to the town who would not otherwise have come. It's a win, win situation."

Mr Gregory said this year's line-up of some of the most prestigious and respected contemporary authors has helped make the event a firm fixture in the literary calendar.

He said: "People are again saying that Ilkley does have some brilliant people coming and

its doing some interesting and innovative things.

"It is a sign of our growing reputation having someone like VS Naipaul open the festival. He is the greatest living writer in the English language. You don't get much better than that.

"He does not make many public appearances. I do not quite know when he made an appearance in Yorkshire before and I do not know when he will do it again.

"So for him to be in Ilkley at our festival is a huge honour. He is a legend."

The festival will run from tomorrow until Sunday, October 21.

Tickets are available from Ilkley Tourist Information Centre or from the festival box office on (01943) 816714.

l GERMAINE Greer's performance at the Ilkley Literature Festival has had to be moved to a larger venue due to what organisers have called an unprecedented demand for tickets. The author of The Female Eunuch was due to appear at Rhyddings Hall, on Friday, October 12. She will now appear at the King's Hall on the same date at 8pm.

Keith Waterhouse - due to appear on Sunday, October 20 at Ilkley Playhouse - has pulled out of the festival.