Ilkley Literature Festival's jubilee celebrations should prove to be a real Carry On.

A show based on the life of comic actor Sid James is just one of the highlights promised for the festival's 25th anniversary 'party.'

David Porter, the event's director, has assembled a star line-up to help the town celebrate this ever-growing success story.

He said: "It really is a very exciting time for us. Never before have we been able to plan an event like this.

"Hopefully it will give us an excellent platform to build on for the next 25 years."

The opening event at the Craiglands Hotel on March 29 will feature acclaimed Leeds poet Tony Harrison.

Mr Porter said: "He will be giving a very rare reading to celebrate his association with the festival over the years. We are absolutely delighted he is going to be involved."

The launch of the celebrations will also feature an event on April 2 with Skipton-based author Blake Morrison, who will work with school children during the day and give a reading in the evening.

Youth is an important theme running through events this year. Mr Porter said: "We have been successful over the past 25 years, but as we grow older so does our audience."

He said: "We want to target younger people in the five-30 age group, to stimulate their interests in literature."

The jubilee celebrations received a boost in August last year with the award of £84,000 from the Arts Council and the appearance of Michael Palin at October's festival.

Literature covers many areas and the Manor House Museum will host a photographic exhibition called Literati.

The exhibition of pictures of writers by Mark Gerson are normally housed at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

A presentation of new writers, featuring Ilkley-based Martyn Bedford and Sanjida O'Connell, will be held on April 4.

Although Sid James died some years ago, his infectious laughter will warm the festival in September through 'Sid' - the Charivari group's tribute to the king of innuendo.

A current television star will be paying Ilkley a visit on April 24 and 25. Mina Anwar, of Thin Blue Line fame, will be appearing in a production based on 50 years of writing from India, Pakistan and the UK.

Other highlights include the first performance of a specially commissioned work about W H Auden, Blake Morrison, Tony Harrison and Ted Hughes and a visit from Tony Benn MP, who, along with Roy Bailey, will be hosting The Writing On The Wall examining the voices of dissent.

Tickets and further information about Ilkley Literature Festival's 25th anniversary celebrations can be obtained from the Festival office on (01943) 601210.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.