BRADFORD'S first literature festival, with a diverse range of events running over three days, has been declared a success by organisers.

But this weekend's programme of 25 sessions was just a taster, to provide a hint of what to expect when the full annual festivals start from next May, with the promise of ten days packed with events.

Co-director Irna Qureshi said this weekend's event was the result of nine months of solid work and had been well received in the city, with events running at many venues and appealing to different audiences.

"We have had three masterclasses, three panel discussions - two of which were very timely - heritage tours, author talks and a poetry event," she said.

"There were a lot of different style of events but that is important and it was important to have things for children.

"They are an important audience and especially for Bradford because we have a young population," she said.

Among the lectures, discussions and workshops, visitors had the opportunity to almost step back in time with a visit to Bradford's old police cells which still exist at City Hall.

The festival was used to provide a preview to the new Police Museum and was fully booked in advance.

Curator Martin Baines, a former police officer, said the opening was a good fit for the literary festival, titled The Wonderful World of Words, because their aim was to tell the stories of Bradford in a different era rather than just display static exhibits.

He told the Telegraph & Argus: "We were really excited about being part of the festival because the festival is really important for Bradford.

"We have a lot of stories in here and we want people to come and hear those stories, which is why this is so well suited to the festival.

Guides on the day were all former police officers, some dressed in replica Victorian police officer uniform to add to the atmosphere.

Among the stories to be told is that of 'Humbug Billy' a tragic event where sweets that had been inadvertently laced with arsenic were sold in the city.

That prompted emergency action by officers who had to patrol pubs in the city warning people not to eat sweets, but that was not enough to save the lives of some children who died as a result of being poisoned.

The case ended in a manslaughter prosecution against the firm involved, but it was acquitted at court, said Mr Baines.