Jenny Harris, who has a wealth of experience in the arts world, has taken over the festival's helm from previous director Jill Morris.

She has previously specialised in the creation, commissioning and project management of events for literature and performing arts festivals and most recently has been co-producer of live literature touring company, Phrased and Confused.

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Jenny also has experience of marketing, communications and fundraising and she has worked with Yorkshire Forward, Folk Arts England and Tower Hamlets Council in London.

She's also worked as a senior music officer with Leeds City Council, during which time she worked on the Fuse Leeds festival and helped staged events in Morley Town Hall.

Coun Bob Gettings, chairman of the literature festival, said: "We're really pleased Jenny has joined our team.

"The festival has been going from strength to strength in the past three years and we see this continuing and expanding under Jenny's leadership."

Morley Literature Festival was originally the idea of Coun Judith Elliott and was first held in 2006.

Since then it has grown from being a weekend event to a week-long celebration of literature, which attracts stars.

Last year's event saw local boy and Ready, Steady, Cook star Brian Turner returning home to Morley to headline on the Friday evening while author and DJ Stuart Maconie provided a hugely popular finale.

Past guests have included Kate Adie, Gervase Phinn, Tony Hawks, Ian McMillan and Ian Clayton.

This year's festival will be held from October 11-17.