Poetry fans in Helensburgh and Lomond can enjoy an evening discussing literature with two local award-winning poets next week.

Ann MacKinnon and Catriona Malan will be talking all things poetry at the next event in Helensburgh Library's free 'An Evening with...' series.

The event takes place on Thursday, August 24 at 7pm.

Mary Irvine, organiser of the 'An Evening With' sessions, began the series in March 2020 – just before the Covid-19 lockdown - to highlight local talent and is delighted the events have remained popular.

She said: “They were intended to showcase the plethora of talent of local writers and to add another free community event to the calendar.

“I had the support of a small group of writers/friends, from Helensburgh and the Vale, who met, whenever available, every Friday morning just to critique each other's work.

“The idea was to have a series of six-monthly events.

“They have been well attended and the wine and nibbles afterwards have been popular as a 'mingling' session.

“Just before last Christmas we invited all our previous speakers to join us for a 'book fayre' which had a free buffet.

“That was very successful and a lot of discounted books were sold.”

Ann works in Scots and English, and was named winner of the Scottish Book Trust New Writers' Award in 2014 – allowing her to a pamphlet in Scots named ‘Nae Flooers’.

She was the joint winner of the McCash Poetry Competition in 2019, and is currently working on another collection of works in the Scots language.

Catriona – whose work is known for its use of vivid imagery and wit - has had her collection Love Affair with Mussels published, and has won the James Muir Trophy for her poem ‘Ghia’ in the SAW Solstice competition.

Free snacks and wine will be available after the event.