Artists are set to open up their studios, garages and homes for an art trail which organisers hope will grow and grow.

The first Ilkley Art Trail is planned to run alongside the town’s annual literature festival in October.

About 25 venues will open during the festival for artists to display a range of work, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, fabric and silver work.

The trail will feature established artists with some emerging and contemporary talent and project manager and curator Lorna Bird is hoping it can be the start of a regular event.

She believes an Ilkley trail can become as popular and established as the Saltaire Arts Trail and the North Yorkshire Open Studios.

“As well as literature, we aim to put Ilkley firmly on the map of cultural happenings where visual arts are concerned,” said Miss Bird, who is working alongside artist Lucia Smith on the trail.

“Our mission is to support visual artists in the area to raise their profile, to exhibit and sell their work across many more places than are currently available to them. We aim to bring more art to public spaces and increase cultural tourism at a difficult time.

“We want to encourage a synergy in the arts locally that enriches the experience of the community, and wows visitors alike.”

The arts trail will run from October 8 to 16.

“The trail has quickly attracted the sponsorship of The Ilkley Brewery, and we are confident that more local businesses will see this opportunity to be associated at the start, with a cultural event that will grow, and bring more visitors to the town,” she said.

“Ilkley Literature Festival started smaller than this and North Yorkshire Open Studios Trail is now a great critical and financial success for North Yorkshire.”

Volunteers are wanted to help organise the event and create some celebratory bunting for all 25 venues during the trail.

For more details, call Lorna Bird on 07789 681862 or via e-mail at lorna.bird@btopenworld.com