More than 200 artists competed for a spot on the 2013 Saltaire Arts Trail following its biggest success last year when just over 9,000 people visited.

Now, an eclectic range of work, from sculptures to paintings and glassware to photography, has been chosen by industry experts for display at Victoria Hall and 13 houses.

Applications came from across the country with 84 artists and makers selected to showcase their pieces.

Event co-ordinator Pam Lonsdale added: “It’s becoming more national rather than regional. People are starting to look out for it being advertised. It’s becoming a recognised event.”

A selection panel made up of the editor of Craft and Design Magazine Angie Boyer; creative director of UK Handmade Karen Jinks and Linda Brill of the Design Shop at Dean Clough, Halifax chose the exhibitors.

Saltaire Inspired’s creative director Amanda Chinneck said: “The thing that stands out about it, what drives what we’re looking for, is excellence and really high quality of work – and that’s what makes us so individual.

“We do get lots of repeat applications because people like the event and like to be part of it.”

But organisers do ask panelists to have a number of new exhibitors so regular visitors have something different to see. Nearly half of the artists selected will be exhibiting at the trail for the first time.

The trail, which is in its seventh year and organised by Saltaire Inspired, runs from May 25 to 27.

It started as part of the annual Saltaire Festival in September, but it became a standalone event in 2011.

One of the big attractions this year is the large range of space-themed family activities. Children will be able to launch their own rockets and search for extra-terrestial knitted creatures.

A craft fair, family activities, exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops are all part of the trail, but Mrs Chinneck said the opportunity to have a look inside the World Heritage Site’s historic workers cottages held appeal.

“We get a lot of visitors that say one of the main reasons for coming is to look insideother people’s houses. When I had an open house half of the people commented in my kitchen wallpaper!”