Youngsters will be given the chance to meet their favourite authors again in the autumn as a big-name festival returns to Bath for the third year running.

Literary idols will be filling venues throughout the city for the Bath Festival of Children’s Literature.

Audiences young and old will be catered for in the 10-day extravaganza, which will feature some of the biggest names in children’s books.

Bath-born author Jacqueline Wilson and Horrible Histories writer Terry Deary will be among the stars of the festival, while Gruffalo artist Axel Scheffler is appearing to help celebrate his creation’s 10th anniversary.

He will be joined by an array of illustrators and picture book authors including Judith Kerr, author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

Festival highlights will include a celebration of the life of Roald Dahl as well as a Doctor Who quiz, which will be hosted by the voice of the Daleks Nicholas Briggs.

Director John McLay said he was delighted with this year’s line-up.

He said: “We hope there’s something at the festival for everyone.

“As well as a few authors and illustrators who are coming back to Bath after appearances in previous years, we will be welcoming several new and exciting guests.

“We are constantly surprised by who says ‘yes’ when we ask them to attend the festival.”

The event will be opened on September 18 by award-winning author Malorie Blackman.

Mr McLay said: “We’re very excited to be back for a third year. It’s a lot of work but the team of volunteers and committee members who help pull the festival together are working very hard behind the scenes to make sure events run smoothly in September.

“We can’t wait to see all of these great authors and artists in Bath. We’re sure they’ll all be very entertaining.”

This year’s event, which will run until September 27, will also see a variety of TV stars appearing.

Jason Bradbury, from The Gadget Show, will be among the guests as well as veteran presenter Johnny Ball, who will be entertaining crowds with stories from his new book, MathMagicians.

Other guests include writer and Fast Show star Charlie Higson, children’s author Jeremy Strong and Charlie & Lola creator Lauren Child.

For smaller children there will be visits from several popular costume characters, including Elmer the Elephant, Mr Funny, Peppa Pig, Peter Rabbit and Wallace and Gromit.

There will be a big Thomas The Tank Engine event along with two arts and craft events which will feature TV star Mister Maker, from the interactive arts and crafts show for toddlers.

Renowned actor Tim Pigott-Smith will be at the festival talking about his children’s books about Sherlock Holmes.

Tickets go on sale on July 13 and Mr McLay said he was sure many of the events would sell out early.

Members of the Festival Friends group can book from July 1 and anyone wishing to inquire about becoming a friend should email info@bath kidslitfest.co.uk.

For more information, visit www.bathkidslitfest.co.uk.