THE International Edinburgh Book Festival is coming to Inverclyde next month.

Greenock is only one of three venues outwith Edinburgh to be chosen to host the event, on August 25 and 26.

Inverclyde Booked will take place at the Beacon Arts Centre but there will also be a special event at Greenock Prison.

There will be an Inverclyde flavour to the page-turning event too, with visits from the daughter of the late Gourock artist George Wyllie and the Greenock co-writer of footballing hero Pat Bonner’s autobiography.

Louise Wyllie will talk to arts journalist Jan Patience about the two’s collaboration on the book Arrivals and Sailings: The Making of George Wyllie.

The event is free and starts at 4pm on Thursday August 25.

In the evening, from 5.30pm, Celtic legend Bonner will showcase his autobiography The Last Line.

The backbone of Ireland’s World Cup 1990 side and Celtic’s most capped player, the goalkeeping icon will share his experiences in conversation with

Greenock co-writer Gerard McDade. Gerard told the Telegraph: “The book was shortlisted in the Irish Book Awards Sports Category and has been very well received.

“I’m looking forward to the night at the Beacon. We’ve had great support from people in this area and I would think that it will attract a lot of people interested in football.

“There will be a question and answer session and probably a book signing afterwards.”

There will also be a series of events for younger readers, with pupils from schools enjoying talks and Q&A sessions with writers.

Inmates at HMP Greenock Prison will also get a chance to meet author Ron Rash, who will be reading from his book Above the Waterfall, in an event on August 26.

For more details visit www.edbookfest.co.uk/about-us/booked