TICKETS are selling fast for the North-East’s biggest book festival, which kicks off tomorrow (Friday, October 11).

This year’s Durham Book Festival will run for longer and feature more events than any other in its 23-year history.

A string of big names will descend on the city over the coming days, with Rachel Joyce, Lynda La Plante, Lindwood Barclay, Mark Watson, Lucy Worsley, Alan Johnson and Jeremy Vine among the star attractions.

Many events have already sold out and others are close to doing so.

Claire Malcolm, chief executive of organisers New Writing North, encouraged people who had never attended a book festival to give it a try.

“People are often surprised how much fun it is. They imagine maybe a lecture or school. But many of our events are totally different.

“There really is loads to enjoy. People get a kick out of seeing interesting people talking about interesting things.

“The buzz is really exciting. It’s a great event to be around.”

Preliminary events have been staged since late September and the festival began with a Durham Castle debate on the relationship between science and science fiction on Wednesday night.

Tomorrow, two TS Elliot Prize-shortlisted poets, Gillian Allnutt and Peter Bennet, will read from their works and there will be the inaugural Cuckoo Cabaret Night.

Ms Malcolm picked out as her highlights: My Granny is a Pirate – a new play based on Val McDermid’s children’s book; Labour peer Lord Adonis taking about the formation of the Coalition Government; The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry author Rachel Joyce discussing her new novel Perfect; an evening with comedian and TV panellist Mark Watson; a debate on whether reading is good for people; and an event celebrating poet Sylvia Plath.

In addition, there will be appearances from politicians Alan Johnson and Chris Mullin, broadcasters Jeremy Vine and Stuart Maconie and the announcement of the Gordon Burn Prize winner and more.

For more information, full listings and to buy tickets, visit durhamboofestival.com

SELECTED festival highlights:

Saturday, Gala Theatre, 10.30am: My Granny is a Pirate. Val McDermid will sign copies of the book afterwards.

Saturday, Durham Town Hall, 1.30pm: Lord Adonis: 5 Days in May: The Coalition and Beyond.

Saturday, Durham Town Hall, 3pm: Rachel Joyce and Gavin Extence: Time versus the Universe. The authors discuss their new novels.

Saturday, Durham Town Hall, 7.30pm: An evening with Mark Watson. The comic discusses his new book The Knot.

Sunday, Durham Town Hall, 5pm: Celebrating Sylvia Plath. Singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams performs new songs inspired by The Bell, while journalist Andrew Wilson discusses his Plath biography.

Friday, October 18, Gala Theatre, 7pm: Jeremy Vine: It’s All News to Me. The broadcaster reflects on 25 years at the BBC.

Tuesday, October 29, Durham Cathedral, 7pm: Paul Muldoon: An Evening with the Festival Laureate.