ILKLEY will be bursting with wordy-wise folk when the town's internationally renowned literature festival gets underway on Friday.

The huge list of visiting celebrities includes such diverse personalities as TV's Claire Balding, author Will Self and politician Diane Abbott and runs for 17 days.

And on Friday night former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion launches the festival into its fifth decade with an introduction to his new book, The New World, at the King's Hall.

Saturday is dedicated to immersing children in written magic with creative workshops for young wizards, storytelling and drawing and million selling writer and illustrator Lauren Child will be at the King's Hall to talk about her popular creations Charlie and Lola and Ruby Redfort.

Former children’s laureate, Michael Morpurgo returns to the festival with a moving performance of his award-winning, story Private Peaceful with renowned Yorkshire a cappella ensemble Coope, Boyes and Simpson.

And bridging age gaps, Carnegie medal winning author of Skellig, David Almond also returns to Ilkley with an event for adults as well as one for young people.

From October 3 to 19 the festival, now in its 41st year will be a magnet for authors of all genres including fiction, journalism and current affairs, poetry, biography, historical and scientific writing.

The busy programme includes more than 240 events at venues and bookshops across the town.

Headline speakers include Booker Prize-winning author Margaret Atwood, presenting, Maddaddam, the final instalment of the internationally acclaimed dystopian trilogy.

Ilkley Literature Festival veteran, Will Self, will introduce his new novel Shark and appearing for the first time will be New York Times bestseller Jodi Picoult presenting her latest novel, Leaving Time.

Rachel Feldberg, Festival Director said: “We are delighted to be gearing up for another packed Festival which will bring authors and audiences from across the country to enjoy 17 days of literary heaven in the glorious setting of Ilkley Moor. With over 240 events- more than 30 of them completely free- there will be lots to see, join in with, and enjoy for the whole family. ”

Other guests appearing at the festival include British actress Sheila Hancock, bestselling historical novelist Suzannah Dunn, former London Mayor Ken Livingstone, Radio 4 veteran James Naughtie and television historian David Starkey.