THEY came, they saw, they read - making a Gwent literature festival a big success, organisers say.

Hundreds of literature lovers from across the country packed Gwent's very own booktown, Blaenavon, to take part in its second annual book festival.

The town played host to poets, authors, musicians, artists and journalists in the four-day festival that ended on Sunday.

Organisers said the event was a huge success.

Jo Wyborn, who gave up her bookshop to run the festivities, said: "It's been incredible.

"We were very pleased to see so many new faces in the town. We have had nothing but good feedback from everyone who came. There was a huge amount of support."

Two years ago Blaenavon was transformed into a booktown by a small group of enthusiasts, and has grown in renown ever since, attracting visitors from as far afield as Canada and Australia.

This second book festival boasted more than twice the amount of events as last year's, with ten times more tickets sold.

Jo said: "We had a very good and diverse programme of events, and were lucky to have the support of some big names from the literary and journalism worlds."

Jo said highlights of the festival included a talk on Welsh participation in the Spanish Civil War by surviving Welsh International Brigader Alun Menai Williams, and a rare public poetry reading by distinguished novelist, playwright and poet Dannie Abse.

The four-day celebration, made possible by European Objective One funding, is expected to bring in thousands of pounds in revenue for the town's book-sellers.

Organisers are keen to have feedback from those who attended this year's festival. e-mail: jo.wyborn@booktownfestivals.com