KEIGHLEY Children's Literature Festival is back after a hugely successful inaugural event last year.

A series of free activities is being staged as part of the venture, spearheaded by Christina Gabbitas, founder of the charity Children’s Literature Festivals.

On Thursday and Friday (May 4-5), primary school pupils from across Keighley have been invited to the town's library for read-aloud interactive sessions with authors, poets and illustrators.

The line up includes SF Said, Andy Seed, 'Rappaman' Donavan Christopher, Salma Zaman, Zehra Hicks, Hafiza Issa and Christina.

Children are also taking part in a Save Our Planet initiative.

Then on Saturday, May 13, a free communities day at the library, between 10am and 3pm, will give youngsters the chance to engage with performance artists.

Also Christina will read from Save Us, which addresses the issue of plastic pollution.

Each child who attends will receive a free book, subject to availability.

Christina pays tribute to everyone who has rallied round to ensure the festival goes ahead.

"I’m very grateful to local company Sovereign Health Care – it has funded a large part of the festival and without its support this year's event wouldn’t have been possible," she says.

"We had to scale down the number of artists from last year due to reduced funding. However, with efforts from Keighley Soroptimists, Keighley RUFC, Men’s Shed, Keighley Lions and Shipley Rotary, along with a donation from Bradford Community SOUP, and the fantastic support of all the staff at Keighley Library, we were able to pull it together."

Russ Piper, of Sovereign Health Care, said the company was "delighted" to give its support.

He added: "Providing access to books, knowledge and imagination is so important to improving people’s lives."

Actress Jenny Agutter, patron of Children’s Literature Festivals, says: "I’m delighted that Christina and the team are able to once again bring a love of books and reading to the community of Keighley, a part of the world that holds many fond memories for me."

Christina has been recognised for her work after being named a Coronation Champion, in a scheme launched by the Royal Voluntary Service to celebrate volunteers and causes that "go the extra mile".

"I’m absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as a Coronation Champion – it means so much," says Christina.

For more about the festival and to book a place at the communities day, visit eventbrite.co.uk and search for Keighley Children's Literature Festival.