A LOCAL bookshop is gearing up to host its seventh literary festival in Penarth.

Griffin Books has been holding the festival each year, with a variety of events for residents in Penarth and further afield.

With last year's festival bringing in more than 350 visitors, the owner of Griffin Books and the festival's organiser Mel Griffin is hopeful that this year will do even better.

Ms Griffin said: "Having decided to give this year's Lit Fest weekend a distinctly Welsh flavour, we are delighted with the line-up of events on offer.

"Whether your interest is Welsh history, the Welsh landscape, Welsh art or poetry, there's something for you.

"I'd like to extend a big thank you to all the organisations and businesses around the town who are hosting festival events for us."

There will be eight events over three days - Friday, July 6 to Sunday, July 8 - held at a variety of venues in Penarth, including Griffin Books and Waterloo Tea.

From a poetry showcase to meet the author events, there is something for everyone.

Elin Davies, festival administrator said: "Children are also well catered for, with Shelley Norton of Talent Shack running a fantastic bilingual workshop themed on Elmer the Elephant.

"Budding writers as well as readers will enjoy our Meet the Author morning in the shop, where two local novelists will be discussing their latest books, both perfect holiday reads."

One of the main sell-out events is expected to be Down the Road and Round the Bend with Roy Noble, which takes place on Saturday, July 7 at All Saints Church.

Tickets for all events can be purchased from griffinbooks.co.uk.

Ms Griffin added: "We hope our annual Lit Fest weekend will help to promote a lifelong love of books and reading within our town, something that it's essential to encourage and preserve alongside the march of technology."