THE lockdown antics of sports commentator Andrew Cotter and his pet Labradors Olive and Mabel won the trio a worldwide social media following last year - and have now resulted in them selling out a gig in Cove this weekend.

The trio's fame has led to Andrew writing two books about their lives together - and earned the trio an invitation to speak at this weekend's Cove and Kilcreggan Book Festival.

But with a day still to go until the weekend's fun gets under way, there's not a seat to be had at Cove Burgh Hall to listen to Andrew and his two 'gals' recount their experiences.

Fortunately there's plenty more to enjoy with authors from far and wide over the course of Saturday and Sunday if you weren't able to get a ticket for that particular event.

There's been one late change to the festival programme - one former BBC journalist, Gavin Esler, is unable to attend because of a positive Covid test within his family, but has been replaced by another, in the shape of Brian Taylor, formerly BBC Scotland's political editor and now a columnist with the Advertiser's sister newspaper, The Herald.

Brian will chat to Ailsa Henderson in what was originally Gavin Esler's slot at 12 noon on Saturday - here's a full run down of the weekend's programme, with all the events taking place at Cove Burgh Hall (click here to book tickets).

Saturday, November 27

10.30am - James Robertson 

12 noon - Brian Taylor with Professor Ailsa Henderson

2pm - GP Gavin Francis, author of Intensive Care

3.30pm - Douglas Stuart, author of Booker Prize winner Shuggie Bain

Sunday, November 28

10.30am - Denise Mina

12 noon - Kirsten Innes, author of Scabby Queen, and her husband, actor and playwright Alan Bissett 

2pm - Andrew Cotter with special guests Olive and Mabel (SOLD OUT)

3.30pm - Graeme Macrae Burnet, author of His Bloody Project and whose latest novel, Case Study, has just been published.

Tickets are £7 a session of £40 for a weekend pass, available online and on the day at the door.