Glasgow's book festival is to give away nearly 1000 free tickets to people who usually "face barriers" attending literary events.

The Community Ticketing Initiative last year gave out 400 tickets to people in some deprived areas of Glasgow including Parkhead and Dalmarnock, Easterhouse, Drumchapel, Gorbals and Govan, among others.

This year the initiative will have 908 tickets available.

Several of the most popular events at Aye Write! and Wee Write! are included in the offer.

Adult learners and community group members who have been working on producing writing have been specifically targeted with the ticket offer this year.

Aye Write!, for which The Herald is a media partner, starts on March 9 and runs until March 19.

Wee Write! Family Days are on February 25 and March 4 at the Mitchell Library.

This year Aye Write! will return to its base at its traditional home of the Mitchell Library, with more events scheduled for the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and, for the first time, at the Centre for Contemporary Arts.

David Hayman’s performances of the Chris Dolan plays, The Pitiless Storm and The Cause of Thunder and Susan Calman being chaired by Val McDermid have become the first 2017 sessions to sell out.

Councillor Archie Graham, chair of Glasgow Life, which runs the city's museums and libraries, said: “Aye Write! and Wee Write! have always championed a love of reading through their brilliant author events and a love of writing through the classes both offer.

"It is a natural step to make sure that everyone can access the festival as far as possible and make sure we remove as many barriers as possible to participation."

Aye Write! also offers several creative writing sessions and free events.