GLASGOW'S book festival is to return next year for the 10th year with a new programmer.

The Aye Write! book festival will run from April 17 to 25 at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow.

Next year the festival will have a new guest programmer, the publisher and experienced literary figure Bob McDevitt.

The festival will bring more than 100 authors and writers to the city, with the first big names due to be announced in the new year.

The separate but related festival dedicated to children and young people, Wee Write!, will also return next year from March 2 to 7.

McDevitt has worked for 20 years in the book world, and comes with extensive experience of festivals, having programmed the Pitlochry Winter Words Festival and the Dundee Literary Festival and been involved in publishing at Hachette Scotland.

He has already been involved in Aye Write! in a variety of roles, including supporting the festival's steering group, and presenting events as a panel member and chair in events.

He said: "Over the last ten years I have relished my involvement in the festival, watching it flourish and seeing the audiences' obvious enjoyment.

"Reading is a truly empowering experience that can fuel our imagination and our emotions.

"I am very much looking forward to growing the festival and featuring authors and events from a wide range of genres which I hope will appeal to as many people from across Glasgow as possible."

Aye Write! was founded in 2005 by Karen Cunnningham, the council's former head of libraries, and since 2007 it has become a fixture on Glasgow's culture calendar.

The festival is organised and managed by Glasgow Libraries, Glasgow Life, with funding from Glasgow City Council and Creative Scotland.

Archie Graham, chair of Glasgow Life, said: "We believe that reading is a basic human right and crucial for the wellbeing of our citizens.

"Aye Write! celebrates the written word, it encourages debate and often challenges established ways of thinking. I am very excited by Bob's appointment. Given his enthusiasm and ambitions for the festival, it is with great anticipation that I look forward to the unveiling of the programme as it enters its tenth year."

Wee Write! attracted more than 17,000 young people and their parents to over 100 events in 2014.

The full programme of the festival will be announced in early 2015 when tickets will also go on sale.

All Aye Write! events will take place in the Mitchell Library, one of Europe's largest public libraries.

Ms Cunningham, founder of the festival, left her role after taking voluntary redundancy earlier this year.

Aye Write! has proved popular with its mix of popular and literary names and special events - last year's festival saw events remembering the late Iain Banks and Nelson Mandela's visit to Glasgow.