The inaugural Poole Literary Festival captured the town’s imagination over the weekend.

Many performances sold out, with star turns from literary luminaries such as Michael Morpurgo and Minette Walters.

Organiser Sue Luminati said the response had been so “overwhelming” she was already looking to expand in 2011.

“The response has completely exceeded expectations and everyone has entered into the spirit of the festival. It’s been an amazing experience.”

After Friday’s promising start, the festival’s Saturday and Sunday events really took off. Five Go Killing – a drama specially written by the award-winning John Foster – packed out the Lighthouse (see review, left).

Southampton author Ali Sparkes, enthralled her audience with a workshop on how to scare readers with spooky stories.

A Halloween theme was also in evidence at Branksome Chine, where candle-lit storytelling sent shivers down spines.

Yesterday, Carol Ann Duffy, Britain’s current poet laureate, enchanted a rapt crowd with a tale of a princess who always feels the cold.

The festival was then brought to a grand climax with Mr Morpurgo’s performance of his novel Private Peaceful, his reminder of the human cost of war.

Mrs Luminati also thanked the 41 volunteers who helped the event run without a hitch.

“I have never worked with a more professional group of people,” she said.