BOOK lovers in Helensburgh are being urged to apply for tickets for the recording of a new BBC Scotland TV series in the town later this month.

Two episodes of The Big Scottish Book Club will be recorded at the Tower Digital Arts Centre in Sinclair Street on Monday, September 30 – one at 3pm and one at 7pm – and registration for tickets to the two recordings is now open.

Launched last week, the four-part series will feature Scottish author Damian Barr as host, talking to well-known and emerging writers such as Dame Denise Mina, Chris McQueer, Ian Rankin, John Niven and Ambrose Parry, the last otherwise known as husband-and-wife duo Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman.

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Damian Barr said: “The Big Scottish Book Club is bringing books back to television and making it clear that stories are for everyone.

"The line-up for this series truly reflects the diverse storytelling talent at work in Scotland and across the UK and I can’t wait to share this thrilling mixture of established and emerging voices.

“Each show has a distinct theme - from memoir to crime - so we can have really rich conversations, delving into the writer’s own story as well their books.”

The series will also include readings of poetry and short stories from Richard Scott, Inua Ellams, Chris McQueer and Andrew McMillan - all in front of a live audience.

Filmed in Perthshire and Helensburgh, the format of The Big Scottish Book Club is inspired by Damian Barr’s renowned Literary Salon, currently resident at London’s Savoy Hotel.

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The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is also supporting the series by helping to boost the public library stock of the books that will be covered across the four episodes, each of which will have a distinct theme.

SLIC will provide funding to local library services to help purchase books, if required. Viewers can request a copy of the book at their local library (subject to loan availability).

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive at the SLIC, said: “Reading for pleasure is so important for people of all ages.

"It boosts literacy and learning, helps us relax, improves our mental health, expands our imagination and fuels creativity."

Anyone interested in registering for tickets can do so by emailing BSBC.bookgroup@iwcmedia.co.uk or register directly online via the series’ Eventbrite page.

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