Book Festival veteran dies

A FORMER director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival has died at the age of 63.

The family of Jan Fairley, who had been battling colon cancer, announced her death at the weekend.

Ms Fairley ran the Book Festival between 1995 and 1997 and was a well respected figure in the world music scene. The festival raised its profile under her stewardship.

She also worked for newspapers and made radio documentaries.

Her funeral is scheduled to take place next weekend.