NORTH Ayrshire could host an annual festival celebration of the life and work of horror writer Edgar Allan Poe.

Poe famously spent part of his childhood in Irvine and local company Poetic Justice Productions, hope to set up an annual celebration of the master of the macabre following their recent readings in Duncan’s Bar on Hallowe’en.

Neil Smith told Irvine Community Council: “North Ayrshire has such a rich heritage but a lot of people don’t know about the Poe connection. We formed a production company with a view of staging a legacy festival.

“What we would ideally like to see in a few years time is maybe a three-day festival.”

Community councillor Jackie Frew saying: “I think this is the best thing I’ve heard happening in Irvine for God knows how long. ”