THE USUAL queues formed bright and early on Tuesday morning as Ilkley Literature Festival tickets went on general sale.

Literature lovers lined up along The Grove and at Ilkley Visitor Information Centre hoping to secure a place at one of the big-name events at the festival in October.

Organisers said: "It has been a busy first day of tickets sales for the 2015 Ilkley Literature Festival, with queues forming early at The Grove and Visitor Information Centre, with people keen to get their King's Hall event tickets first thing.

"But tickets are still available for more than 220 events, including our fantastic Children’s Festival events, big names like Simon Schama and Jenny Eclair, as well as readings from leading poets such as Jackie Kay, Jo Shapcott and Blake Morrison, international authors such as Pulitzer Prize-winning Jane Smiley from America and performances including the always popular North Country Theatre and Nine Lives, written by former Poet in Residence Zodwa Nyoni."

Grove Bookshop assistant manager, Mike Sansbury, said there was already a queue along The Grove at 8.30am on Tuesday.

He said there was a big demand at the shop for tickets to see actor Brian Blessed, comedian Mark Thomas, researcher, doctor, writer and broadcaster, Robert Winston, and father and son duo Peter and Dan Snow, who will present an illustrated talk drawn from their new book, The Battle of Waterloo Experience.

Tickets for events at the King's Hall can be bought at the Grove Bookshop and at Ilkley Visitor Information Centre, but tickets for events at other venues must be bought online at ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk or by calling the box office on 01943 816714.

Alterations have been made to several advertised events, and some have already sold out.