Jenny's Moving tale is a book night highlight

Fylde funnywoman Jenny Eclair will mark World Book Night in Blackpool

The top comedienne and actress is to share her literary skills at Blackpool Central Library to discuss her latest novel.

Jenny, 55, a regular on ITV’s Loose Woman and former I’m A Celebrity jungle resident, will talk about her fourth novel Moving, her story of a woman transported back to her past as she prepares to sell the house she has lived in for the last 50 years - hailed by fellow comedian Jo Brand as ‘witty, moving, dark and absorbing’.

The star, who grew up in Lytham and attended the former Queen Mary School in St Annes, and makes regular return visits with family still living locally and on her solo comedy and Grumpy Old Women stage show tours.

Her appearance will be the centrepiece of World Book Night celebrations at the library, on Saturday, April 23, from 7pm, which are planned to include activities such as family reading sessions and limited book giveaways. Further details of these and other activities will be confirmed nearer the time.

Coun Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Blackpool Council has been keenly supporting World Book Night since it first began in 2011 and this year looks like being one of the most exciting yet for our local libraries.

“We are particularly delighted to be welcoming Jenny Eclair to Central Library which will give fans not only the chance to meet her but also an opportunity to share in some of the great activities we have lined up to support this important event.”

World Book Night is designed to bring books and the opportunity to read more into people’s lives. It also encourages people to give or share their favourite book to someone in the community.

Since it began in 2011, World Book Night has created a group of 56,000 volunteers, giving books away to more than 2.24 million people.

Tickets cost £15 or £13 for library members from the library. Suitable for ages 16-plus.

* Fans who can’t wait until April can catch Jenny when she returns to Lytham’s Lowther Pavilion on Wednesday, March 9. Call (01253) 794221 to book.