TRAFFORD's annual literary festival comes to libraries across the borough next week.

Now in it's 12th year, Wordfest sees hundreds of people visiting the borough’s libraries every June to hear and meet their favourite authors and discover new books and writers.

Trafford Libraries are boasting some big names this year, with highlights including former Hacienda DJ, Dave Haslam, bestselling authors Lucy Diamond and Vaseem Khan and neuroscientist and stand-up comedian Dean Burnett.

There is also a new children’s element this year with a silent disco at Old Trafford Library to celebrate National Bookstart Week and a visit by children’s author Jane Kerr to Urmston Library.

The Messenger's picks for Wordfest 2018

Meet Me at the Museum with Anne Youngson

Coppice Library, Wednesday 6 June, 1pm

Meet Me at the Museum tells of a man and woman with more of their life behind them than ahead, both of whom face new beginnings when they connect unexpectedly through letters and a shared love of ancient history, personal treasures and nature. Meet Me at the Museum is Anne Youngson's debut novel.

This is a free Wordfest event. Book online at Eventbrite. For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

An evening with Vaseem Khan

Stretford Library, Wednesday 6 June, 7.30pm

Join us for an evening with Vaseem Khan, author of the bestselling The Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, as he talks about the latest in the Baby Ganesh series, Murder at the Grand Raj Palace.

This is a free Wordfest event. Book online at Eventbrite. For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

Bird Boogie in the Library

Old Trafford Library, Thursday 7 June, 11am-2pm

Celebrate National Bookstart Week with a boogie at our silent disco in the library! When you fancy a sit down, there will be bird-themed crafts and colouring to keep the entertainment going. We'll also be giving away free copies of this year's National Bookstart Week book, A Busy Day for Birds to under 5s. Suitable for early walkers (dancers) upwards!

This is a free Wordfest and Chatterbooks event. No need to book, just turn up.. For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

The Pankhursts and the Suffragettes

A talk by Janet Pickering from The Pankhurst Centre

Altrincham Library, Thursday 7 June, 7.30pm

This year we are celebrating the centenary of the act of parliament which gave some women the right to vote. The Pankhurst family from Manchester were leading suffragettes and founder members of the militant Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU).

This is a free Wordfest event. Book online at Eventbrite . For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

Britain by the Book with Oliver Tearle

Hale Library, Tuesday 12 June, 2pm

Why was Agatha Christie investigated by MI5 during the Second World War? Why was Thomas Hardy buried twice? A multitude of curious questions are answered by Dr Oliver Tearle, author of Britain by the Book, a fascinating literary travelogue taking in writers' unusual haunts and the surprising places that inspired some of our favourite fictional locations.

This is a free Wordfest event. Book online at Eventbrite. For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

Children's Author Jane Kerr

Urmston Library, Thursday 14 June, 4pm

Come and meet children's author Jane Kerr, author of The Elephant Thief, and discover more abut the amazing real life Edinburgh to Manchester adventure of Maharajah the elephant.

This is a free Wordfest and Chatterbooks event and is aimed at children aged 7+. No need to book, just turn up.. For more information please contact urmston.library@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

The Happy Brain with Dean Burnett

Sale Library, Friday 15 June, 7.30pm

After a hugely successful visit to Wordfest in 2016 with the acclaimed The Idiot Brain, neuroscientist, writer and stand-up comedian Dean Burnett returns to talk about his latest book, The Happy Brain.

This is a free Wordfest event. Book online at Eventbrite. For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

Crime Scene: Call Forensics with Ashley Dyer

Altrincham Library, Wednesday 20 June, 7.30pm

How do the forensic experts deal with a crime scene and how do crime writers make sure they get the facts right? Examine the evidence at our 'crime scene' and chat with the writer and forensic expert who together form Ashley Dyer.

This is a free Wordfest event. Book online at Eventbrite. For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

Meet author Sahera Patel

Old Trafford Library at Limelight, Friday 22 June, 7.30pm

Sahera Patel is a British Muslim, teacher and public speaker. She has a passion for her faith and it is with this passion that she wrote her first book, the inspirational I'm not a Celebrity, I am a Muslim. In her latest book, Unveiling Arabia, Sahera writes about her experience of living and working in Saudi in a refreshingly vivid way.

This is a free Wordfest event. Book online at Eventbrite. For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

An evening with Lucy Diamond

Urmston Library, Tuesday 26 June, 7.30pm

Meet bestselling author Lucy Diamond as she visits Wordfest for the first time to talk about her new novel, On a Beautiful Day.

This is a free Wordfest event. Book online at Eventbrite. For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.

Sonic Youth Slept on My Floor with Dave Haslam

Urmston Library, Wednesday 27 June, 7.30pm

We are delighted to welcome back former Hacienda resident DJ Dave Haslam as he talks to Abigail Ward from Manchester Digital Archive about his new book Sonic Youth Slept on My Floor, a masterful insider account of the rise of Manchester and the birth of the rave era.

This is a free Wordfest event. Book online at Eventbrite. For more information please contact libraries@trafford.gov.uk or phone 0161 912 3189.