AUTHOR and campaigner Alan Gibbons will follow in the footsteps of acclaimed actress Maxine Peake when he receives the award for Outstanding Contributions to Socialism 2015.

The inaugural award was presented to the actress, a former Westhougthon High School pupil and Canon Slade student, Maxine last year who hailed it as "more than a Bafta".

Bolton Socialist Club started the award ceremony last year to recognise the efforts of individuals, who said Chris Chilton, chairman of the club, "have consistently stood out against social injustice, inequality".

He said: "This year the club is making two awards, one which recognises a national figure, the other a local person selected by the members of the club."

Mr Gibbons, who has visited Bolton, is a renowned children's author who has worked tirelessly to save library closures a vocal opponent of the coalition government's austerity measures.

Mr Chilton said: "Alan is a great advocate of literacy and travels the world to promote literacy education for children.

"He is also a campaigner against hate crime, taking his message to schools in particularly. His latest book, Hate, was inspired by the tragic death of Bacup teenager Sophie Lancaster.

"Alan spoke at a recent anti-hate crime event at the club."

The local award winner will be announced on Friday at the club, where there will also be entertainment from the Clarion Choir, Manchester poet Dave Puller and local musicians.

Mr Chilton said: "Awards Night at Bolton socialist Club is an evening of celebration in recognition of all the activists, campaigners and supporters in Bolton who fight for a better, fairer world.