One of Dunbartonshire's most well known faces is to host an evening next week discussing his 38 years service as a priest in the Vale and his recent autobiography.

The Rev Ian Miller was named in 2012 as a Freeman of West Dunbartonshire after serving as a popular minister in Bonhill Church, as well as remaining a powerful voice in the community, including recently over proposed service changes at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Rev Miller is to appear at the annual Lilifest celebrations in his home town of Kilbarchan, hosting the 'An Evening With' event, where he will talk about his service and his successful book 'Habbie to Jeely Eater', which marks his journey from a young 'habbie' in Kilbarchan to a much-loved 'jeely eater' to his Dunbartonshire congregation.

He said: "I'm hoping it will be quite an open event just about the book and my life, as well as sharing my memories of Kilbarchan growing up.

"There will be some humorous tales of my time in the ministry, mainly from weddings, but even some funerals as well. I've met lots of people in my time from the papers, as well as Prince Andrew, Robert Carlyle and cricketer Viv Richards."

One of the other famous faces that Rev Miller has built up a relationship with is the former Rangers football manager Walter Smith, with Rev Miller overseeing the marriage of two of his sons.

Rev Miller continued: "If people aren't laughing during the event, then there's something wrong, although there will be some tears too at some of the poignant tales and moments.

"The story with Walter is actually related to my book because I asked him if he would give me a quote for the book and he did and wrote that I was his one of his 'favourite Celtic supporters'.

"He met me at one of the book events soon after and said that he'd been misquoted, because I was the only Celtic supporter he liked! It's that sort of banter that I really enjoy."

The event will see Rev Miller returning to the village's performing arts centre after growing up with it as a mission hall as a youngster, saying that his life had "really come full circle".

The event is being organised alongside Damon Scott, the CEO of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, who said: “Everyone who has had the pleasure of his company will know that Ian is a hugely entertaining raconteur with a Aladdin's cave of anecdotes and jokes. It is sure to be an entertaining evening and Kilbarchan is really accessible so we are hoping a few faces from Dunbartonshire turn up too.”

To attend the event, just visit http://www.liliasday.co.uk/lilifest-2017/.

Tickets for the event begins at £5.50 with proceedings going to the Kilbarchan Smile Community Group, with the event sarting at 7.30pm.