FULL houses at several events were evidence of Ledbury Poetry Festival's success, according to festival trustee Alan Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd, of Church Lane, repeated his view, made earlier in the festival, that this was a vintage celebration of poetry.

But one surprise at the close of the festival was the announcement from director Dr Charles Bennett, that he is to leave his position, on a date still to be announced, after six years at the helm.

Mr Lloyd said: "Of course he will be greatly missed. He put on a cracking festival this year."

Dr Bennett made his announcement at the party that followed the last event, the recital of the epic Beowulf, in the Market Theatre.

The recital was one of several that were filled to capacity, with people being turned away at the door.

Other events that were sell-out hits included the Fado concert of Portuguese folk music at Hellens and the Name Your Place event with Sean O'Brien, Ruth Padel and Jo Shapcott in the Burgage Hall

Mr Lloyd said: "The place was heaving. It was like a Turkish bath in there."

This event was a study of the use of place names in poetry, such as Adelstrop, in the famous Edward Thomas poem.

The Crowning Glories sacred music concert, with Adrian Partington and the Vivace Singers, sold 160 tickets and so brought a large audience to Ledbury Parish Church.

One of the highlights of this year's festival was the reading by the Arab love poet Maram Al-Massri.

Mr Lloyd said: "The passion was so great, she ended up weeping, and she had people weeping in the aisles. It was incredible!"

The full audience figures for the whole festival are still being calculated.

But Mr Lloyd said: "We know that sales were good."