Outspoken former Cabinet minister Mo Mowlam will tell the inside story of her time in Government when she appears as a special guest at the Bradford Literature Festival.

The popular politician, who was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, is just one of the big names lined up to visit the city as part of the event.

The former MP, who battled a brain tumour while in office, will be promoting her book of memoirs entitled Momentum which is published two days before her visit on May 14.

Best-selling author and journalist Tony Parsons, who wrote Man and Boy, and poet Gerard Benson will also be entertaining Bradford audiences during the event.

Organiser Tom Palmer said: "These big names are a coup for the festival which is going to be massive this year and there are more to follow.

"Mo Mowlam is a very interesting person who relates very funny anecdotes and I think a lot of people would love to find more out about her.

"We are also overjoyed that Tony Parsons is coming."

Mo Mowlam, who set up an educational peace trust in Northern Ireland after 13 years in politics, will appear at the Alhambra Studio.

Kerry Hood, of publisher Hodder and Stoughton, said: "She is very much looking forward to coming to Bradford.

"The book is a memoir rather than an autobiography because it covers her life from the 1997 election to putting the Irish Peace Deal together, her brain tumour and her decision to leave Westminster."

As well as big-name authors, the festival will be a platform to launch a new book by Bradford writer Younis Alam, known for his Manningham crime thriller Annie Potts is Dead, and a performance by Joolz Denby with James Nash.

Tickets for the Festival in May will go on sale nearer the time with details published in the Telegraph & Argus.