THE Scottish publisher behind the Booker Prize-winning novel Life Of Pi is set to rake in hundreds of thousands of pounds as the fantastical tale hits the big screen.

Edinburgh-based firm Canongate credits Yann Martel's magical realist adventure novel with turning its fortunes around.

The book has been turned into a film by Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee, which will be released in the UK on December 20.

The surge in sales for Life Of Pi will be a welcome relief to the independent publishing house, which suffered a major financial blow with an operating loss of just in excess of £360,000 last year.

Canongate said this was down to the failure of Julian Assange's to deliver his promised book.