THE sixth and biggest yet Settle Stories Festival takes place this weekend with 50-plus events billed.

Running from April 1-3, events for adults include discovering how global thinkers like David Babbs, the founder of 38 Degrees (the UK’s largest people power organisation), use story for radical change. Relax into the mystery of the Arabian Nights with Arabic Storyteller Alia Alzougbi or dance the night away with Gypsy folk band Barbarella’s Bang Bang. For those who fancy a good laugh, award-winning, former policeman, now comedian Alfie Moore, will be at the festival telling the true story of his 18 years on the beat. There's also the story of Matthew Wilcock, winner of televisions The Great Pottery Throw Down.

Family events this year feature classic tales brought to life for little ones. Inspired by the tale of Alice in Wonderland, children can join storyteller Sita Brand, for a journey Down the Rabbit Hole and meet Alice’s sister Lorina or travel back in time to more than 800 years ago to Sherwood Forest and meet Robin Hood and his bold brave band with storyteller Dave Tonge. There’ll even be the chance to dress up as a fairy or pirate and join Captain Hook and Tinkerbell for stories and tea at the Party in Neverland.

Venues hosting sessions include Settle Victoria Hall, Friends' Meeting House, The Falcon Manor, The Royal Oak and the Folly Museum.

Sita Brand, director of the Settle Stories Festival, says that no matter what age, stories help people look at the world differently, get more from it and give more to it: "At the 2016 Festival, international artists will tell age-old folk tales that transport us to other worlds and those with fascinating real life stories will challenge our perceptions of current affairs. All of this taking place in the stunning Yorkshire Dales town of Settle, the perfect place to get away from it all - if only just for one weekend."

Box office 05603-845693 or visit www.settlestories.org.uk/festival.