THE popular Wrexham Carnival of Words event will be returning on April 23.

The event - now in its sixth year - will be held at a number of different venues across the town centre until May 2.

It is one of the leading literary festivals in Wales - and offers guests the opportunity to meet their book idols, hear them read, get their books signed and mingle with fellow readers.

Opening the programme is award winning crimes series author Jim Kelly - which will be followed by a parade of youngsters through the town to celebrate World Book Night.

Elizabeth Chadwick (The Irish Princess), Amanda Prowse and her son Josh (The Boy Between), Matt Hilton (Rough Justice), Neil Spring (The Burning House), plus the BBC One Show’s resident scientist, Marty Jopson will take guests to ‘Invisible Worlds’ in this 'thrilling' programme.

This year’s event will also feature local and popular musician, Luke Galllagher - who during his eight years of gigging and recording - has drawn inspiration from the people he knows, the people he meets and the stories he hears.

For this very special evening, guests can hear first-hand the stories behind his songs - and hear some of those songs from a whole new perspective.

New to the festival will be a History Day comprising six events including bestselling authors, Barbra Erskine and Peter Doyle, military re-enactments, question times and much more.

Poetry will also feature in this year’s programme including the return of Viva Voce open mic night.

Fans of crime fiction will not want to miss the ever-popular Murder Mystery at Wrexham Library - which has been written by bestselling author, Kate Ellis.

And back by popular demand is Welsh language author, Aled Lewis Evans, who will be discussing his latest book.

The Festival of Words ends with Mother and son duo, Amanda and Josh Prowse - who will be telling their heart-breaking yet uplifting story of a man’s journey into mental illness from smart, funny teenager embarking on university life to a boy on the edge who planned when and how to take his own life.

The whole programme of the event can be picked up at local libraries, community venues and other locations or can be viewed via wrexhamcarnivalofwords.com

Tickets for all events are available online via www.wrexham.gov/pay or from Wrexham Library.