BLAENAVON is poised to be come one of Britain's biggest literary centres. US-born entrepreneur James Hanna says the town which was founded on heavy industry has a bright future - in books.

In less than three months his campaign to make Blaenavon the biggest second-hand book town in Britain - even beating Hay-on-Wye - begins with the opening of ten second-hand book stores.

He told the Argus: "First come the bookshops and then the general increase in commercial activity that the bookshops bring. I doubt, actually, if in Hay secondhand books are the biggest source of income any more.

"There are restaurants and great pubs and clothes shops and the pubs are booming. "Sure, people from London go there to buy books but they buy other things while they're there. The book trade will restore energy to Blaenavon. There is a very large population nearby, and 100,000 go to Big Pit each year. Some of those we will be able to get downtown."

Under the scheme - which is being backed by Torfaen council - people setting up a book shop will pay between £15,000 and £20,000 to receive at least 6,000 books, training and support.

A council spokeswoman said: "It's not a council-led project but we are working with them because we are enthusiastic about the project."

It is expected ten shops will be opened on June 28 as part of a literary festival which will coincide with a World Heritage day in the town.