It’s back! And this time it will have something for all the family.

That is the message from organisers of the 39th Ilkley Literature Festival, which kicks off tomorrow with some of the biggest names in the country heading to West Yorkshire.

But aside from the headline acts, such as Clare Balding, Michael Palin, Jack Straw, Paddy Ashdown, Sandi Toksvig, Jeremy Vine and Benjamin Zephaniah, there will be a wealth of other “thought-provoking events” to enjoy.

Festival director Rachel Feldberg says this year’s festival promises much and has a range of themes including Conversations about Empires, Sporting Words, the Future of the Book, Ways of Seeing and Words on Music.

With 220 events scheduled for the festival until Sunday, October 14, including 40 which are free, no-one should miss out, despite record ticket sales so far.

“We’re looking forward to a fantastic festival,” she said.

“There’s something for every member of the family, from headline events with household names like Michael Palin to leading poets and novelists like Benjamin Zephaniah and Pat Barker.

“We’ve great writing about art, architecture and music, thought-provoking events on science, philosophy and new Black British writing.

“Or you can run wild with Boff Whalley, watch the magical illuminated Poetry Sphere as dusk falls and find out about Shakespeare’s local.

“We’ve more for children aged three to 12 than ever with authors to meet, performances, a free storytelling pod and even a circus skills workshop. And there’s a tempting programme of unique activities for teenagers.”

The early ticket rush for some of the headline acts even caused a “freeze” of an online booking system while large queues formed in Ilkley as record ticket sales were achieved on the first day of availability. Among the events to sell out quickly, were tickets to see Clare Balding.

Tickets for some of the big names are still available inlcuding Andrew Motion, Hilary Devey, Peter Hook, Penny Junor, Simon Armitage, Roger McGough, John Suchet, Darren Shan, Prue Leith, Steve Bell, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Paddy Ashdown, Chris Mullin, Sandy Gall, Amiri Baraka and Jake Arnott.

For all the details about the festival, including the latest news on events and tickets, go to ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk or call the box office on (01943 816714).