Britain's leading performance writer Joolz Denby is gearing up for her literature festival appearance in Bradford.

The 46-year-old, who has lived in Bradford since she was 19, will be performing excerpts from her prose and poetry at the Reading the City event tomorrow night.

"I've not had an event in Bradford for quite a while and I'm really looking forward to it," she said.

"We do have a big wealth of talent in the Bradford area and it's important that writers from the locality can take part in festivals like this one.

"If you are a local artist you can feel a bit like a prophet without honour in your own town and it's great to be included."

She will be appearing at the Theatre in the Mill, Shearbridge Road, opposite Bombay Stores, at 7.30pm, and will also be taking questions.

Sponsored by the Telegraph & Argus, the seven-week festival was opened last month by international novelist Amy Tan and will finish with a performance by cult writer Will Self on June 7.

Joolz added: "The line-up for this year's festival is impressive and there's a good mix of artists taking part including international names."

She has had two novels published. The first, Stone Baby, won the Crime Writers Association's New Writers' Award. She has also had three collections of poetry and stories in print.

She has worked closely with Bradford rock band New Model Army and released albums of her poetry set to music.

Festival organiser Tom Palmer said: "We are delighted she agreed to be part of the festival and it underlines the thread that's running through the festival - celebrating Bradford writing.

"She's certainly at the forefront of poetry and fiction in the city today and it's very exciting to see her taking part."

Tickets cost £3 (£2) and can be booked on (01274) 233200.

For more information about the festival telephone (01274) 754096.