ONE of the UK's best known scientists, folk 'royalty' and a string of theatre groups and comedians are heading to Otley Courthouse.

The arts venue has just announced an Autumn-Winter programme packed with major figures from the worlds of drama, music, comedy and academia.

Doctor, scientist and TV presenter Professor Robert Winston, who will be the keynote speaker at this year's Otley Science Festival in November, is one of the stand-out names that have been confirmed.

Others include folk stars Martin & Eliza Carthy, comedians Stephen K Amos and Jan Ravens, and BBC and Channel 5 historian Suzannah Lipscomb.

There will also be a wide variety of theatrical offerings, ranging from family-friendly performances from the Topsy Turvy Theatre Company to a one-man show from Edinburgh Festival regular, Pip Upton.

A Courthouse spokeswoman said: "Once again we have managed to jam-pack this season with a great variety of music, comedy, theatre, talks and family shows, from a variety of award-winning artists.

"One of the many highlights of this season’s programme is the fact that this year is the tenth anniversary of the Otley Science Festival.

"So, we have pulled out all the stops and are thrilled to announce that Professor Robert Winston will be attending this year’s event with his talk Modifying Humans: Where Does Genetics Stop?"

As for theatre, she added: "For our family audiences we are thrilled to welcome back Topsy Turvy Theatre Company with their next adventure with our favourite guinea pig, Christopher Nibble.

"We also have Tutti Frutti who have again teamed up with Emma Reeves to write and produce their version of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, The Ugly Duckling.

"And we are pleased to welcome Moon on a Stick theatre company with their Christmas tale, The Abominable Snowman.

"Keeping up our tradition of bringing new theatre to the Courthouse this season we see solo performer and Edinburgh Festival regular Pip Upton perform his one man/woman show Playing Maggie.

"And Proper Job theatre will be bringing their thought-provoking production, Medusa, while Everwitch Theatre will visit with their WWII based play Bomb Happy, which also features the five remaining York Normandy veterans."

Other musicians set to appear include the winner of the BBC Folk Awards Musician of the year Tom McConville, and winner of the same awards' Best Group category, The Furrow Collective.

Historian Suzannah Lipscomb will give a talk on the War of the Roses, and there will also be presentations by mountaineer Simon Yates and award-winning outdoor broadcaster Terry Abraham.

For more details on the programme, which runs from September through to February, 2018, or to book tickets visit otleycourthouse.org.uk or call (01943) 467466.