AWARD-winning author Philip Reeve will be among the host of illustrators, poets and storytellers set to descend on Swindon next month for the Youth Festival of Literature.

Now in it's eight year, and funded by the Swindon Association of Secondary Heads (SASH) it is one of the only festivals which sees a collaborative effort between schools town-wide.

Stella Rogers, learning resources centre manager at Isambard School, who helped to organise this year's festival said: "I think we're probably the only place that is doing this. There are towns doing youth literature festivals but nothing where there is a collaborative effort between all the schools to bring this together.

"So it's a real event and because of that the authors who come here want to come again, and they speak to their friends and tell them about it.

"I think that's very important because it means it's being taken seriously and it is a fixture in authors' calenders."

Organised by librarians from 11 different secondaries, the likes of Virginia Bergin, Phil Earle, David Gatwood and Elen (corr) Caldecott will descend on the town between November 6 and November 13 to visit schools for readings, performances and workshops.

As well as the speakers, there will also be transitional events aimed at primary school children, and a smattering of competitions including the annual book quiz, creative writing competitions and illustrating competitions.

The festival is designed to encourage the love of reading, and offer youngsters an insight beyond exams and the classroom into what reading is about.

"There is nothing like losing yourself in a book," said Stella.

"We are all passionate about reading for pleasure as learning resource centre managers.

"When students are wrapped up in studying for exams or coursework it is easy to forget the real purpose of reading is for pleasure and for leisure and for self-growth.

"I think that's very important and part of the Swindon Youth Festival of Literature is helping students to realise that.

"We don't just send our brightest and best pupils along to the festival, we have some 2,000 students attending, and if just one of those children come away from a workshop or talk inspired to borrow or buy a book then that's the important thing."

While the official launch at The Platform in Faringdon Road is set to take place on October 19, young adult author of the science fiction Mortal Engines Quartet, Philip Reeve will officially open the festival at Isambard on November 6.

He has managed to find time to come to the festival as part of his nationwide tour with his latest novel, Railhead.

The headline event of the festival, however, will take place on November 12 at the Wyvern Theatre, when secondary school students will welcome Steve Cole, the new author of the Young James Bond series.

Meanwhile the festival will be rounded off with a spooky audience event with horror writer David Gatwood on Friday, November 13.