The countdown is on to this year’s Ilkley Literature Festival – with some of the biggest names in the literary world set to descend on the town.

Celebrated playwright Alan Bennett, Ilkley’s famous gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh, comedian Jo Brand, politician Paddy Ashdown and poet Roger McGough are among the attractions this year, alongside author of the Red Riding Trilogy and The Damned United, David Peace.

This year’s festival, sponsored by Skipton Building Society, also celebrates the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s visit to Ilkley in 1859.

To mark the 200th anniversary of his birth, and the 150th anniversary since On the Origin of Species was published, the literature festival has an exhibition documenting his stay in Ilkley at the Manor House Museum from Tuesday, September 1, to Sunday, November 1.

On Saturday, October 3, developmental biologist Lewis Wolpert will visit Ilkley Playhouse to explain the science behind stem-cell research, cloning and DNA. The event takes place at 4.30pm.

The following day, Greg Radick of Leeds University investigates Darwin’s time in Ilkley with fellow Ilkley man Mike Dixon. This will start at 2pm in the Playhouse.

Stories, riddles and puzzles about Ilkley will be told by storyteller Taffy Thomas who is conducting a story walk outside the Rombalds Hotel on Sunday, October 11 at 1.30pm.

The Children’s Festival this year will run from Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 18, with events for youngsters aged three – 12 years.

Among the guests will be poet Roger McGough, author Philip Ardagh, Bradford writer Trish Cooke, children and teenage fiction writer David Almond, Irish author Derek Landy and journalist/author Grace Dent.

Tickets go on sale from Tuesday, September 1. For more information contact the box office on 01943 816714 or visit the website at ilkleyliterature festival.org.uk.