BOOK fans can look forward to a packed programme of events at next month's Ryedale Book Festival.

This year's theme is 'courage' with over 30 different activities taking place in Malton over the weekend of October 11 - 12.

Workshops, storytelling, illustration, spoken word, author talks and an independent book fair will be intermingled with fun activities to inspire young readers to enjoy reading and listen to stories.

Festival coordinator Sarah Tyson, said they were thrilled to have master storyteller Michael Morpurgo joining on the Sunday with a capello trio Coope Boyes and Simpson for their hugely atmospheric musical performance of Private Peaceful.

"Michael will be working with children from 27 Ryedale schools on Monday, October, 13 enabling those children an opportunity to listen to and question this prolific writer and former children’s laureate," she added.

"The screen adaptation of Private Peaceful will also be shown at Palace Cinema Malton as it is a commemorative centenary year and a very poignant tale."

Sarah said many of the writers in the programme had drawn on their own experiences requiring bravery such as encephalitis survivor Tim Bond, explorer Benedict Allen, war correspondent Justin Huggler, contemporary war poet Danny Martin, and the young writers whose short stories about human rights issues attracted the support of Amnesty International, resulting in the publication of the anthology 'Chocolate Factory'.

"The narratives and books together with their personal journeys offer insight into experiences that are beyond the imagination of most of us," she added.

"These events will be inspirational, thought provoking and are certainly not to be missed."

Adhering to theme of courage also led to the inclusion of other writers whose subject have local interest such as Catherine Bailey’s historical book 'Black Diamonds', Andrew Martin’s detective story 'Last Train to Scarborough' and Susie Steiner’s novel 'Homecoming' set in the North York Moors.

Local author Lucy Beckett will be taking her audience on an informative exploration of how courage has been portrayed in the classic novels and the Charles Dickens Society will be dramatising courageous scenes from Dickens’ novels at their museum in Chancery Lane.

Sarah said: "Because books contains illustrations as well as words and David Hockney has sought inspiration from the nearby Wolds we are delighted that his biographer Christopher Simon Sykes will be joining us to discuss Hockney’s courageous life as an artist.

"Puffin Classic, “The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark”, has inspired Sunday morning’s events in the sanctuary of Malton very own secret gardens hidden near the ancient Roman fort Diventio. In the Castle Gardens there will be a host of activities to suit all ages that conform to a nature and owl theme and befitting of this tranquil setting.

She added: "Finally, the really brave can join Cat Weatherill’s spooky ghost stories on Saturday night after dark…if you dare."

For more information visit ryedalebookfestival.com and for tickets phone the Milton Rooms on 01653 696240