Interest in Felixstowe Book Festival has been phenomenal, according to the organisers – and tickets are already selling out for some events.

Around 40 writers are taking part in the festival on June 15 and 16 with a series of activities, talks and workshops to help would-be authors, and entertain readers and those with a passion for the written word.

Director Meg Reid was challenged to organise the festival – the resort’s first – by her daughter-in-law after one of their annual visits to Cambridge Word Fest and the Edinburgh Festival.

She said: “I thought, why don’t we set it up? Quite a small event, three or four writers. And then it grew!

“I have always loved books. I used to steal my parents’ library card to allow me to take more books out of the library when I was a child.

“I always think books are rather magical.”

She has been thrilled with the interest in the festival, which takes place at venues including The Orwell Hotel, Felixstowe Library, Write the Blurb Bookshop, White Horse pub and Landguard Fort, and delighted some sessions are selling out.

She said: We have been very lucky with the authors.

“A lot of the work has been by word of mouth. People who know people who know people – we have been able to talk with the authors direct rather than always having to go through agents.

For more information on the programme, and to book tickets in advance, people can visit the website www.felixstowebookfestival.co.uk