THE organisers of the first Bradford Literature Festival have hailed it a huge success, and confirmed that a second festival will take place next year.

The ten-day festival, which ended on Sunday, featured readings, talks and workshops from acclaimed writers and figures from politics, art, film, science, nutrition and comedy from around the world.

The festival, aimed at boosting literacy among children and adults and getting people into the city centre, included a free schools programme and a variety of family events. Other events included a Bronte heritage tour and quiz, a Roma storytelling session, a panel discussion on the war against ISIS, and a Japanese cartoon masterclass.

Among the guests were writer and broadcaster Will Self, novelist and scriptwriter Ben Aaronovitch, poets Brian Patten and Lemn Sissay, children's writer Lauren Child and comic, actress and writer Francesca Martinez.

Bradford photographer Mark Davis led an after-dark tour of historic Undercliffe Cemetery and film screenings included a documentary about a Muslim female wartime spy.

The Telegraph & Argus got involved by holding a book review competition for young readers which drew hundreds of entries.

The festival was also aimed at promoting cultural diversity, health and wellbeing, with events focusing on subjects such as fasting, diabetes, yoga and cooking for families.

Funded by Arts Council England and Bradford Council, the festival's key partners were the University of Bradford and Bradford College, and it was sponsored by the NHS, Woodhouse Grove School and Incommunities.

Organisers Syima Aslam and Irna Qureshi plan to make it an annual event. "The ten days of the Bradford Literature Festival have seen the city play host to some amazing people from the world of literature, politics, art, culture and film," said Miss Aslam.

"We have seen local, national and international figures coming together to debate issues and ideas and discuss everything from poetry to particle physics. We’ve had a fantastic response from all the people who have participated in the festival and the feedback has been tremendous.

"This is the start of something special; the first step in the cultural renaissance of the city. We are already looking ahead to 2016 when the festival will take place from May 20-29."

Festival venues include the City Library, the National Media Museum, Bradford College, City Hall, Waterstones and the Midland Hotel.

Miss Aslam said the idea was to "engage Bradford and get people talking about Bradford for all the right reasons."

"The city centre is somewhere for families to bring their children, we wanted people to come and make use of what's here. It's cultural regeneration, tying in with the city's economic regeneration," said Ms Aslam.