A BEST-selling author is returning to her birthplace for a book launch.

Bolton-born Ruth Hamilton, aged 74, has lived in Liverpool since 1979, and she will be at Bolton Central Library, Le Mans Crescent, on Saturday, July 5, at 2pm.

She will be reading from, talking about and signing copies of her new novel, A Mersey Mile, which is being released on July 3.

The grandmother-of-two said she is looking forward to meeting readers of her books and visiting the library.

Ruth said: “I love libraries. I came over and tried to fight the closure of branch libraries in Bolton because they targeted places where people need libraries, but don’t realise they need them.

“People who are, not just money poor, but they are also learning poor.”

The mother-of-two, who lived in Tonge Moor Road, has written 25 novels, including Spinning Jenny, The Bells Of Scotland Road, Mulligan’s Yard, Mersey View and That Liverpool Girl.

Bolton is the setting for many of her novels, as well as her adopted home of Liverpool.

She said: “I drag Bolton in — A Liverpool Song is about a guy who grows up in Bolton. It’s one of those tandem books where you jump time.”

A Mersey Mile is described as a story of finding strength and standing up for what you believe in.

Set in 1955, the residents of Scotland Road fear for their futures when government plans threaten to demolish their road and tear apart their community.

Polly’s Parlour café is the centre for action, where strategies are formed to fight back but can they keep their community together while also dealing with their own struggles?