The organisers of Jewish Book Week are celebrating the festival’s highest-ever ticket sales.

Around 14,000 seats were sold during the nine-day event, which ended on Sunday with sell-out sessions by authors Alain De Botton and A B Yehoshua.

Book Week director Geraldine D’Amico said: “Every event was well-attended and lots of sessions sold out. There was a real buzz about the place and everyone was on a high. We were blessed with many great speakers.

“We are very pleased because we have obviously not felt the credit crunch, despite the difficult times.”

Among the best-attended events were sessions with Amos Oz, Simon Schama and Avraham Burg.

Despite the record-breaking attendances, Foyles, the festival’s bookseller, experienced a slight drop in sales compared to last year.

Ms D’Amico said many people had decided to cut back on purchases of the more expensive hardback books.

The festival was held at the Royal National Hotel, central London, where the main venue seats 550 people.

Book Week sessions have also taken place around the country over the past fortnight. Some other events are due to be held later this month.