A LITERARY festival aims to boost reading in some of Middlesbrough's poorest areas.

Poetry, stories and music will stimulate creativity over four weeks through a range of events starting on Saturday.

Best-selling crime author, Val McDermid, and renowned horror writer, Ramsey Campbell, will talk about their work, while for younger readers there will be appearances by storybook favourites Maisy Mouse and Horrid Henry.

There will be performances by local musicians, an open mic poetry gig and creative writing workshops.

In Middlesbrough, 16 out of its 23 wards are classed as "deprived". The council has pledged that it will not close the town's libraries this financial year, despite having to cut £50m from its budget by 2015.

Mike Carr, executive member for children, families and learning at Middlesbrough Council, said libraries played a big part in society.

"It goes without saying that local authorities are under intense pressure and in other parts of the country they have been closed, but ours have been kept open, " he said.

"They all have computers and e-books have now been launched. Young people, and especially children, have the most to gain."

Jen Brittain, library services manager, said: "The ever-popular History Wardrobe returns to give us an entertaining presentation about Georgian life and Teesside University's crime and forensics experts will join three leading crime authors to give a fascinating insight into their work - crime fact meets crime fiction head on."

Bob Beagrie and Andy Willoughby are writers in residence during the festival, now in its third year.

As well as writing their own poems and prose, they will be holding drop-in writing surgeries offering advice on writing, research and how to get published.

George Dugdale, policy adviser at the National Literacy Trust, said that in the UK one person in six struggled with their literacy.

"We know that poor literacy has a range of negative affects on an individual's life, " he said.

"The National Literacy Trust believes that literacy transforms lives, and that with better literacy, everyone can succeed in life."

The literary events will take place at libraries and other venues throughout Middlesbrough. For full details, visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/litfest