HUNDREDS of local schoolchildren have the chance to meet famous authors when the Bolton Children's Book Festival gets under way..

The popular annual event runs June 14-28 and Bolton Libraries and the Bolton Literacy Trust have got together to bring some of the country's best-known children's writers and illustrators to the town.

Old favourites like Rob Lewis and "Pongwiffy" creator Kaye Umansky will join new visitors including Blue Peter award-winner Alan Gibbons and writing duo Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore. The latter will showcase their new series, The Outernet, before other areas around the country get to see it.

Returning to the town where he was educated will be popular author Chris d'Lacey, a former pupil of Turton High School. His first novel for children was commended for the Carnegie Medal.

The festival's events are spread around the borough's branch libraries and the Central Library.

As well as the fully booked programme for schools, three more free events are open to the public. Illustrator Rob Lewis will provide a fun session for children at the Central Junior Library in Le Mans Crescent on Saturday June 15 from 2pm-4pm.

At the same venue on Tuesday, June 25, Bolton Aquarium staff will give a talk from 6pm to 7pm for families. The theme is snakes.Tickets are available from the library.

Writer and illustrator Tony de Saulles will discuss his work on the Horrible Science and Internet Vet series at Harwood Library on June 27, 6pm-7pm.