Book your place at literature festival

This year’s Sunderland Libraries Literature Festival kicks off today.

There will be everything from sessions from awardwinning authors to Viking folklore, local talent and Hallowe’en craft activities for children.

Crime fiction devotees can look forward to multi award-winning author Mari Hannah, author of the Stone and Oliver crime series, the Ryan and O'Neil series and the DCI Kate Daniels series.

Sunday Times best-selling author Amanda Revell Walton, of The Shipyard Girls series, who writes under the pen name Nancy Revell, will be talking about her novels and her career as a writer.

County Durham non-fiction author Jane Guildford Lowes, whose debut novel The Horsekeeper's Daughter was published in 2017, will be passing on practical advice and tips for all would be authors.

There are also sessions on why telling stories is good for you, a look at what old Wearside ballads tell us about the folk history of Sunderland and another chance to see the fabulous Lonely Tower documentary Passion for Vaux - Sunderland's Lost Brewery.

Coun John Kelly, left, cabinet member for communities and culture at Sunderland City Council, said: "What’s really great about this year’s festival is that we have such a wide range of themes and events on offer with something for everyone. The majority of the events are free so I'd urge everyone to have a look through the programme to see what they're interested in and to come along and join in or try something different."