A Wakefield-based creative producer who has helped transform one of Yorkshire's best-known arts festivals is stepping down after nine years leading the event.

Bev Adams, who lives in Wakefield and is co-director of community arts organisation Edgelands Arts, will leave her role as director of Holmfirth Arts Festival after this year's event.

She will pursue personal creative projects and complete a PhD in puppetry and climate change communications.

Since taking over the festival, Bev has overseen nine successful events, helping the festival reach around 50,000 people while expanding opportunities for people to take part in arts and community activities.

Nearly 10,000 people have taken part in participatory creative activities during her tenure, including the annual Festival Parade, River of Art, guided walks featuring music and performance, care home projects and large-scale community productions.

She also helped secure public, private and charitable funding to grow the festival, while bringing nationally recognised street theatre and aerial performances to Holmfirth, earning coverage on BBC Look North.

Jan Ansell, chair of the Holmfirth Arts Festival board, said: "Bev Adams has done a marvellous job leading the event over the past eight years and has brought many exciting and memorable moments to Holmfirth during her tenure.

"She will be sorely missed by us all and will be remembered as the 'Queen of the Parade', having returned this popular historic event to the town."

Former board chair Roger Lancaster said: "Bev's ability to retain a clear artistic focus, and sound balance sheet, is a remarkable achievement. Thank you Bev."

Bev said: "Holmfirth and the Holme Valley has creativity flowing through its veins and it has been an absolute pleasure to work and develop amazing relationships with local artists, business and communities.

"We could never have realised these unique creative projects without the trust and support of our Board of Trustees, the help of our amazing volunteers, and the backing from our funders."

Alongside her work at Holmfirth Arts Festival, Bev teaches in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries at the University of Leeds and is co-director of Edgelands Arts in Wakefield.

A new festival director has already been appointed and is set to be announced.