ONE of the many authors who featured in the inaugural Trowbridge Book Festival has called on the event to become an annual occasion, due to its success.

The 10-day long festival attracted more than 1,000 people to the town hall and the library, to see a Gruffalo, bedtime stories, workshops with poet Dawn Gorman and writer Dr Rachel Clarke and a talk and dance with former Pussy Cat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, among others.

And international author Chris Vick, who did a talk at the library and visited Clarendon Academy and Castle Mead Primary, is hopeful the event will become a permanent fixture in the town.

"We got such a wonderful response from the children, I would love to see this return next year and I would definitely like to be part of it," said Mr Vick.

"For a first attempt, it was a very good one. Some young children think writing is not for them but after talking to a few they are not ready to give it a go which is great."

Tracy Sullivan, director of Town Hall Arts, said: "We were so pleased with how it all went. We had some fantastic feedback, many of which involved people asking if it would be back next year.

"This year we got a grant from Awards For All so we will have to discuss what to do next but it would be great if it came back for 2018."

The festival ran from September 28 to October 7.