Ilkley Literature Festival's new director believes artistic and

commercial 'coups' will lead to a cracking millennium event.

Dominic Gregory, who is awaiting confirmation that the festival has secured an extra £5,000 of arts funding, has revealed A S Byatt will

headline the first Ilkley Literature Festival of the 21st century.

The Yorkshire-born author, a Booker Prize winner in 1990 with Possession, has agreed to write a piece, to be premiered at this year's event, to be held from Saturday, September 30, to Sunday, October 22.

Mr Gregory said: "This is a major coup for us. She had virtually given up doing festivals so I had to try and entice her back to Yorkshire. She was delighted when I approached her about doing a piece especially for the festival."

He said he could not reveal any more about the piece being prepared, but it would be 'worth waiting for.'

"The Ilkley Literature Festival has a long tradition of commissioning new work from writers such as Ted Hughes and Angela Carter. A S Byatt is one of our finest living authors.

"We are extremely privileged that she will be appearing and performing her new work at this year's festival," said Mr Gregory.

"I am very keen to attract such literary heavyweights to come and take part in and enjoy the festival," he said.

Other top writers appearing at the millennium festival will be confirmed in the Spring.

Mr Gregory is also delighted with the increasing interest shown in the festival by the business community.

"Borders Books, Music, Video and Caf have announced that they are to be sponsors of the Ilkley Literature Festival. They join a growing number of businesses in the region that are keen to support the festival," he

said.

News of the new sponsorship deal was announced on World Book Day, by Mr Gregory and Wendy Chaffin, Borders marketing manager.

Mr Gregory praised the Ilkley Gazette for its help in securing a positive response from the business community.

"An article in the Gazette back in January led to a major Bradford-based car company contacting us about getting involved.

" We are close to securing a deal where those taking part in the festival will be ferried to and from events in style," said Mr Gregory.

Brochures for this year's Ilkley Literature Festival will be available in July.

They can be ordered by writing to the Ilkley Literature Festival at The Manor House, Ilkley, LS29 9DT, or by telephoning 01943 601210.

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