BRADFORD'S first full Literature Festival starts next month with a star-line up, including author and journalist Will Self and other notable names from the word of words and ideas.

Organisers say the ten-day schedule, which starts on Friday, May 15, is set to take the national festival scene by storm with more than 150 events featuring more than 250 writers, thinkers, artists and experts from Nigeria to Syria, from Poland to Pakistan and from Ireland to Iran.

Topics to be explored this year will cover everything from ISIS to Islamophobia, Bollywood to the Brontes, comedy to crime, diabetes to doll making, horror to goth and poetry to politics.

Festival co-director Syima Aslam says the festival has something for everyone , she added: "With the literature festival spearheading Bradford’s cultural renaissance to complement the ongoing economic regeneration, these are exciting times for the city.”

And her fellow director Irna Qureshi said: “Our unique brand of programming is a first for this country. It has been a real joy to curate a festival that brings together such a distinguished and diverse range of participants to discuss issues that, while having global and UK-wide significance, are also very pertinent to Bradford.”

Big names from the worlds of literature, poetry, journalism, science and faith at the festival will include favourite children’s author Lauren Child celebrating the tenth anniversary of her well-known book and television series Charlie and Lola.

Will Self will be offering philosophical insights on particle physics with leading scientist Professor Akram Khan. Former literary editor of The Independent, Boyd Tonkin, will be discussing freedom of speech as well as chairing a number of events as part of a special Bronte-themed weekend.

Bestselling author Sophie Hannah will be talking about her very first Hercule Poirot mystery while Lauren Beukes discusses thrillers and horror.

In the world of current affairs, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will give her take on the real meaning of Englishness, Baroness Warsi will discuss issues of trust surrounding Muslims, Professor Paul Rogers examines ISIS and No More Page 3 campaigner Lucy Ann Holmes will be considering the impact of Female Tabloid Euphemisms.

Organisers hope the festival will also be able to provide a neutral space for talking about difficult issues whether it is about current affairs, politics, gender and how global conflicts make a local impact.

The Arts Council England and Bradford Council are funding the festival and the University of Bradford and Bradford College are its key partners with NHS Bradford’s Healthy Hearts and Woodhouse Grove School as main sponsors along with support from social housing provider Incommunities.

To see the full festival programme and book tickets go to bradfordliteraturefestival.co.uk.