Glasgow's Aye Write! book festival begins today and celebrates its 10th birthday.

Bob McDevitt, programmer for the festival which runs 17-25 April, said that the majority of events in the festival still have tickets left and has urged the public to try out the first weekend of events which begin tonight.

He said: "I have always thought that this year the programme has something for everyone - not only literary fiction but knitting lessons [Ruth Bailey and Jackie Holt's Knit Your Own Broons], photography, military history, and discussions that will include politics, art, poetry and more.

"There are tickets left for most events and there is still time to choose an event to attend."

The festival, based at Glasgow's Mitchell Library, opens tonight with several events including Irvine Welsh talking about his latest novel A Decent Ride, Karen Dunbar discussing her favourite books, and a sold out session on the national bard, with Jerry Brannigan, John McShane and David Alexander presenting an illustrated talk based on the period of his life that Robert Burns spent in Edinburgh.

Saturday sees events featuring Dylan Jones, Alan Bissett, Alex Norton and Helen Lederer among others.

Another sold out event on Saturday is Tessa Dunlop: The Bletchley Girls.

There's Only One Aye Write, also tonight, celebrates the festival, will bring together many prize-winning authors who have been on the Aye Write! stage during the last decade.

Reflecting on the festival's impact will be Christopher Brookmyre, Denise Mina, Alan Bissett and Louise Welsh alongside Glasgow's Poet Laureate Jim Carruth and singer-songwriter Carol Laula.

Brookmyre has appeared at Aye Write! more than any other author.

McDevitt is in his first year programming the festival.

He 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.

McDevitt said that Glasgow Life and Aye Write are considering the festival's plans for the future but the city is committed to the festival and plans to expand its form in the future are already being discussed.

Jane Hawking, author of the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, is also be at the festival: she is portrayed on film by Felicity Jones in the acclaimed film The Theory of Everything.

Alexander McCall Smith returns to the festival with his latest book, Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party.

Other visitors including Eva Schloss, the stepsister of Anne Frank, who is talking about her memoir After Auschwitz. Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will discuss 'Englishness' while Mona Siddiqui will discuss My Way: A Muslim Woman's Journey.

Palestinian doctor Ghada Karmi will make her Aye Write! debut appearing to discuss her memoir Return.