The festival takes place at the parliament building in Holyrood

This year's inaugural event attracted top names such as broadcaster Andrew Marr, Vanessa Redgrave, Lord Kinnock and film director David Puttnam.

Nearly 3,000 members of the public joined in - so officials have decided to ensure next year's gathering at Holyrood runs for longer.

The pioneering get-together was held inside the parliament building.

As many as 80% of seats were filled on average, so the second event - in August - will be extended from three to four days.

It is right that the Festival of Politics should return next year George Reid Presiding Officer

To meet demand from the public for sessions to be held outside normal working hours, it will also run into the evenings and over a Saturday.

Presiding Officer George Reid said: "The first Festival of Politics provided a chance for members of the public and participants to engage with ideas here at Holyrood.

"It struck a note in a year when politics was at the heart of the Edinburgh festivals' programme.

George Reid (right) welcomed Lord Kinnock to the first event

"After much praise from audiences and participants alike it is right that the Festival of Politics should return next year to allow more audiences the chance to interact with politics in this lively format and in a unique venue."

This year's gathering opened up the Holyrood building to more than 20 diverse activities such as a children's workshops, political song writing, African music, a one-woman play and discussions on human rights, women in politics and Scotland's relationship with the land.

Issues discussed ranged from The Death and Reinvention of Scotland to What has Devolution Done for Animals.

The debating chamber, more commonly associated with political drama, was used to stage a play.