A LITERATURE festival celebrating great writing will return to Harrogate for a seventh year in 2017 and has moved to a new autumn slot.

The Harrogate Literature Festival will be from October 19-22, at the Crown Hotel.

Yorkshire law firm Raworths has announced its continuation as title sponsor of Harrogate International Festivals’ headline literature festival.

The festival has previously welcomed Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Kate Adie, Michael Palin, Alastair Campbell, Lord Melvyn Bragg, Kate Atkinson, Sue Townsend, John Suchet and Noddy Holder.

The programme this year will reflect the Harrogate International Festivals’ over-arching theme for 2017 - generations.

Raworths became the inaugural sponsor of the festival in 2012 to celebrate its 125th anniversary.

Zoe Robinson, managing partner, said: “We are thrilled to continue our support of Harrogate International Festivals. There is a real synergy in this partnership of two long-standing Harrogate institutions, both proud of our legacies and contribution to the town.”

The programme for the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival will be announced in June.