THE town’s library held its official launch party for the first Middlewich Literary Festival in March.

More than 20 people attended the event on March 20 and heard top tips on writing and news reporting from the Middlewich Town Mayor and Guardian reporter Charlie Kennedy.

The festival will be a two-day event in May where resident authors will give their industry advice, there will be book stalls and competitions.

Town mayor Bernice Walmsley said: “I am so pleased to see that we’re to have a new festival in Middlewich. As a published author, reading and writing are very close to my heart and anything we can do to encourage a love of books is well worthwhile.

“I will look forward to the festival in May and have already started to think about what I would choose as my favourite book – there are a number that spring immediately to mind.”

Middlewich Vision co-ordinator Alison Roylance White said the festival aims to bring together a mixture of talent to celebrate literature and creative writing.

Alison said: “The launch went really well and it was lovely to see many familiar faces and new faces.

“This is quite a unique opportunity for Middlewich to go to a different kind of festival in comparison to the other festivals like the Folk and Boat show we have in the town.

“It’s a chance to bring a variety of local artistic talent together with residents from the town to celebrate literature and give everyone a chance to be involved with the competitions available.”

The Middlewich Literary Festival takes place on Friday and Saturday, May 23 and 24.