Hundreds of tickets have already been snapped up by book lovers for the Ilkley Literature Festival.

So many tickets have been sold its jubilant organisers now believe it is one of the "Big Three" in the country.

All the big name events at the King's Hall - featuring Maya Angelou, Clive James, John Sargent and Louis Theroux, with more than 500 seats each - were virtually sold out within hours.

Queues formed outside The Grove bookshop and the Tourist Centre in the town before opening time with fans eager to make sure of their places.

Festival director Rachel Feldberg, said: "If you love books and you can see the person who has written it in person, then that is the same as seeing your favourite rock star. It is incredibly exciting.

"For youngsters it is like seeing a boy band."

She said London publishers now regarded Ilkley as one of the top three literary events in the country along with Hay-on-Wye in May and Cheltenham in October.

She said other key names such as PD James and Roy Strong were also moving quickly as were the children's events which had fewer places available.

She added: "We sold certainly hundreds of tickets possibly into the thousands. And it is all under way again for the next few days."

She paid tribute to all the sellers who had ensured the first day had passed smoothly.

"At one point our people were running between the bookshop and the tourist centre desperate for more tickets which is a marvellous vision for literary festival.

"It has been an exciting day and everybody throws themselves into it and gets their sleeves rolled up."

The festival is opened on September 30 by PD James. Other names in the 17-day event include Ned Sherrin, Alan Plater, Gervase Phinn and Greg Dyke.

Rachel said: " I think now the publishers in London treat us as one of the top three. Obviously Hay, with 250 events, is far bigger, but we now have more than 100 in 17 days which is quite something.

"To get these names on our doorstep in Bradford is tremendous."

The website is available on www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk or call (01943) 601210.