Young musicians and poets are being encouraged to put their hearts into their work around Valentine’s Day in a new scheme run by Ilkley Literature Festival.

Organisers of the prestigious annual event have been flooded with calls from teenagers at schools who want to sing, play or perform stand-up comedy acts on the stage of Otley Courthouse for a special Valentine’s Club night.

And in a bid to give talented young writers greater opportunity, the literature festival is piloting a young writer’s group, which will meet regularly at the Courthouse arts centre.

The festival itself takes place from October 1 to 17 this year.

It features special events and workshops for children and young people in its programme each autumn, but hopes to provide more arts opportunities for young people with its events this month.

In association with the Skipton Building Society – the main sponsor of the festival in recent years – festival organisers are staging the Valentine’s Club night at Otley Courthouse, in Courthouse Street, on Friday.

From 7.30pm to 10pm, the Hearts Club Night for 12 to 16-year-olds will feature the talents of young bands, songwriters and comedians.

The event is being supported by Otley Town Council and the extended-schools service.

Anyone interested should call (01943) 462826.