Foodies and book lovers are being invited to two mouth-watering events at the Helensburgh Community Hub this month.

The venue is playing host to two renowned local authors and, in a separate event, is inviting local residents to bring along their favourite dish to a food festival.

On Saturday, August 17, from 10am to 1pm, book lovers can enjoy a cuppa and homemade cake while meeting authors behind everything from crime to memoirs and poetry.

Authors taking part in the Meet the Authors event include crime writer Daniel Sellars, whose third crime novel in the DI Lola Harris series has recently been published, and Balloch-based author Doreen Hopwood, who had her debut novel, A Dynasty of Dragons, published recently at the age of 72.

Other top writers on the bill for the event include former sports journalist Robin Scott-Elliot, whose children's novel, The Acrobats of Agra, was described by TV sports broadcaster Clare Balding as "thrilling and mvoing", and local mental health advocate Graham Morgan, who has addressed the United Nations and has written two memoirs about his life with schizophrenia.

Gill Simpson, the hub's development manager, said: “Following the success of the second Helensburgh Book Festival in March, we wanted to put on some more book events ahead of next year’s festival.

"We are lucky to have so many talented writers living here, so this is an opportunity to talk to them directly about their work, and maybe, if you are a writer yourself, to get some helpful hints and tips.

“The authors taking part have written across a wide range of genres, in both fiction and non-fiction, so no matter what kind of books you like, there will be an author you can chat to.”

Other authors taking part are crime novelist Andrew Hawthorn, fiction and natural history author Paul Murdoch, poet Margaret Buchanan-Cole, Adventure In Time series creator David Munro, and writer Mary Irvine, who has also hosted a series of 'An Evening With...' events at Helensburgh Library.

And later in the month, locals are being invited to bring their favourite dish to a community food festival in the same town.

As well as welcoming new Helensburgh residents from Ukraine and Afghanistan, the event, on Sunday, August 25 from 11am to 2pm, will be a celebration of food from the many different cultures living in Helensburgh.

Gill added: “I have lived in several other countries, and one of the things that is so wonderful about that is discovering delicious new things to eat.

"So it would be wonderful to see what kind of specialities from across the world that people enjoy making here in Helensburgh, whether from their own heritage or travels.

“But sharing food is more than just enjoying what you eat, it’s about people coming together and spending time with each other, getting to know one another and hopefully making new connections.”

If anyone needs help to get ingredients please get in touch with Gill Simpson on 01436 678088 or manager@helensburghcommunityhub.org.uk.