Range of activities atPortsmouthBookfest

The festival is organised by Portsmouth City Council and The Hayling Island Bookshop.

BookFest also supports local talent and works with many local authors in the city, including Portsmouth Writers’ Hub.

The festival started yesterday and continues until March 6.

Highlights include a panel discussion of Closure – a new anthology of short stories, and a tea party with the Gruffalo at libraries.

There’s also the chance to discover more about Rudyard Kipling, who spent part of his childhood in Southsea, and explore the city’s connections with Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

At most events there will be an opportunity to buy books and have them signed by the author.

Tickets are on sale in libraries or online via EventBrite at http://portsmouthbookfest16.eventbrite.co.uk. Alternatively phone the box office on (023) 9268 8037, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.