A WEALTH of literary events celebrating writing and reading in South Lakeland will begin tomorrow in the form of the eagerly awaited Word Market festival, writes Caroline Beamish.

Following the success of 2004's event, Word Market organisers are hoping the festival will support and inspire writers, readers and audiences in the area.

Now in its third year, the event has again attracted poets and writers of the highest calibre to venues across South Lakeland and beyond, who will give performances and hold workshops of interest to everyone.

The festival begins with the first performance of New Plays North West tonight (Friday, February 4) at The Parish Centre in Church Walk, Ulverston, where the Ulverston Outsiders will perform two of the final six scripts submitted to the major script-writing project this year.

A further two scripts will be performed at The Victory Hall in Broughton-in-Furness on Tuesday, February 8, with the remaining two at Art Gene in Abbey Road, Barrow, on Friday, February 11. All performances begin at 7.30pm.

Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of the Word Market festival is the announcement of the South Cumbria Poet Laureate 2005, made this year by Jo Shapcott, one of Britain's leading poets.

The search for a successor for Lucy Crispin, Poet Laureate 2004, has been under way for months and the crown will be awarded at the popular A Poem and A Pint evening at the Lanternhouse in Ulverston on Saturday, February 12. This special night will showcase the finest local poetic talents alongside those of Jo Shapcott, who has won major awards for her collections.

The festival will also see award-winning novelist Patricia Ferguson host an already fully-booked short story writing workshop tomorrow, Saturday, while on Sunday, February 6, Shaun Blezard will hold Song Furnace Open Mic, to help budding songwriters hone their lyrical skills.

The free workshop at Ulverston's Union Inn will include an open microphone session and the chance to hear the sounds of Barrow-based singer and songwriter Ali Rigg.

Pub Scripts, one of the most popular and unique events of last year, returns to six hostelries in Kendal, Ulverston and Broughton, following the autumn writing competition.

There will be three performances in each of the participating pubs, in Ulverston on Wednesday, February 9, and Kendal on Thursday, February 10, with the full round of winning scripts performed at a showcase by Ulverston Outsiders at Forum 28, in Barrow, on Monday, February 28.

Writing Your Life Story, an all day workshop on Sunday, February 6, led by experienced tutor and writer Marian McCraith will take place at Ulverston Mind while Helen Farish, writer in residence at The Wordsworth Trust, will take a 4th Monday Poets Masterclass on Monday, February 7, at the King's Arms in Ulverston.

Writers, writing groups and organisers of literary events will benefit from a Writers' Day with special guests George Green, author and director of the post graduate Creative Writing Programme at Lancaster University, alongside Sue Allan, editor of All Write and publisher Helen McGlasson.

Co-ordinated by Kate Whiteside, writer and web-editor at The Westmorland Gazette, the event will take place on Sunday, February 13, at the Lanternhouse in Ulverston.

But booklovers will not miss out with a Readers' Day event centred on the theme of reading for pleasure. Featuring special guest Sarah Hall, the day is organised for Saturday, February 12, also at the Lanternhouse.

Poetry enthusiasts will find a four-mile walk with Pat Moneypenny a unique experience on Saturday, February 19.

Linda Graham, Word Market project co-ordinator, said the event had gained momentum since it was started three years ago.

"It's going really well. We're pleased with the level of interest so far because it looks as though it could be even more successful this year than last."

For more information, or to book tickets, call 07834 150523 or visit www.word-market.co.uk.