A LITERATURE festival has been hailed a success by organisers.

The sixth edition of the annual Penarth Literature Festival took place from July 7-10 this year in a shift from his usual October slot to tie in with the Penarth Summer Festival.

The festival is organised by Griffin Books which is based in Windsor Road.

The first event was a free school's event with author and comedian Jonathan Meres on Friday, July 7 at the Paget Rooms in Victoria Road.

More than 420 pupils from 10 local schools attended two sessions that morning and afternoon to hear about Mr Meres' series The World of Norm.

Also on Friday was an event with actor Johnny Tudor at All Saints Church from 4-6pm.

Mr Tudor spoke with writer and actor Dick Johns about Dorothy Squires, a singing star from south Wales who had a relationship with Roger Moore.

Later on Friday was a Crime and Place event with authors JM Gulvin and Jan Newton in conversation with Clare Donoghue at All Saints Lesser Hall.

They discussed how the setting of a crime novel changes the way the crime is written about and how readers experience it.

On the Saturday, Dr Jonathan Hicks the head teacher at St Cyres School gave a talk about his book The Welsh at Passchendaele at St Augustine's Parish Community Hall.

The book brings together personal experiences, poignant stories, vivid accounts and photographs from soldiers who fought in the World War One battle.

Former Welsh Assembly member Huw Lewis was in conversation with historian and author Dai Smith about his new book To Hear the Skylark's Song at All Saints Church on Sunday, July 9.

The book is a memoir of Mr Lewis' experience of growing up in Aberfan after the disaster.

Sunday also saw a poetry and music showcase held at Waterloo Tea in Stanwell Road which included local poet and author Stephen Payne, Amy Wack and Michael Laskey as well as Phil Nedin of Penarth Acoustic Club.

Also on the schools event, here are a few additional details that may help: Over 420 children from 10 different schools attended the Jonathan Meres event in the Paget Rooms.

Mel Griffin from Griffin Books said: "'This year's Penarth Literature Festival was a great weekend of author events for all ages and reading tastes.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all the authors, venues, advertisers, volunteers and particularly all those who attended the various events.

"We are already looking forward to beginning the planning for next year's festival, and it would be great to see even more local residents coming along, taking advantage of the opportunity to meet and hear from top quality authors right here in Penarth."

The next major Griffin Books event will be a literary lunch with Martina Cole on October 19.