Hundreds of book lovers of all ages joined in a week of talks, workshops and activities for the second St Albans Literary Festival.

The event, which took place at St Peter’s Church, the Oxfam Bookshop and the Cathedral, included sessions featuring BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, crime novelists Peter Robinson, David Mark, SD Sykes and Angela Clarke, historical writer Alison Weir, graphic novelist Dave Gibbons, Rivers of London author Ben Aaronovitch, and children’s events hosted by Katherine Woodfine and comics creator Neill Cameron.

There were also presentations based around TV’s The Clangers and The Wimpy Kid Show.

Human rights lawyer Anthony Lester QC, who appeared at a talk hosted by the BBC’s Martine Croxall, said afterwards: “I also appeared at the Hay Festival and yours was more enjoyable in every way.”

The festival was run entirely by a small group of volunteers, and presented by the Herts Advertiser.