The Ted Hughes Festival, a celebration of the life and work of the former poet laureate in his home town on the 10th anniversary of his death, kicks off at the end of this month with an international line-up, and interest from all over the world.

The local ticket offices will be at Milly’s Café (from 9 till 3, Monday to Friday, and 10-12 on Saturdays) and at the Erringden Rooms at St Michael’s Church (4 till 7, Monday to Friday).

Telephone bookings can also be made on 07592 577482.

The festival opens on October 22 with the current poet laureate, Andrew Motion, reading from his own work, and announcing the winners of the national children’s poetry competition.

Two days later, Frieda Hughes, Ted Hughes’ daughter and herself a poet, will announce the winners of the Elmet poetry awards, which has attracted entries from all over the world. The American lyric poet Anne Stevenson – who will be reading her own work during the festival - has been judging entries which have come from the Yorkshire region, and the winner here will be awarded a prize from the University of Huddersfield.

The festival runs for a week, with most of the events staged at the Ted Hughes Theatre at Calder High School. The full brochure is available at libraries and tourist information centres, and can be found online at www.theelmettrust.com.

One of the highlights will be the world premiere of a new play, Dreaming of Foxes, written by Aelish Michael (a former CHS student) about the boyhood of Hughes. There will also be world premieres of orchestral music, many poetry readings, an art exhibition, walks in the footsteps of Hughes, and events for children.