SPECIALLY commissioned work by four writers will feature in Otley's first literature festival this week.

The playwrights will read out and perform new works at Otley Courthouse from 9.30pm on Friday, March 4, as part of Courthouse Words.

The new week-long celebration of the written and spoken word started on Sunday, February 28 and concludes on Sunday, March 6.

The Friday night event, beginning at 9.30pm, will see local playwrights perform new dramas they have created around the theme of where they live.

The writers were commissioned by theatre company Paines Plough, on behalf of the Courthouse, as part of its long-term, national Come to Where I'm From project.

Two of those taking part will be Emma Adams and John Hollingworth, both Yorkshire-based playwrights

Bradford-born Emma was Writer in Residence during West Yorkshire Playhouse’s New Writing Season 2012, and lectures part time at Northern Film School, Leeds.

She has had three of her plays tour nationally, and her writing is often fantastical and surreal.

John Hollingworth, meanwhile, was born in Keighley and is an actor whose had roles in high profile TV dramas like Poldark and movies including The Dark Knight Rises.

As a writer his debut play, Multitudes, was performed in London last year and he has recently been working on a stage adaptation of Ross Raison's award-winning debut novel, God's Own Country, and a new play.

Tickets for Paines Plough, at Otley Courthouse, cost £6 or £8 and can be booked by calling (01943) 467466.

A full schedule of Courthouse Words events, meanwhile, can be found by visiting otleycourthouse.org.uk .