Hay-on-Wye writer Bridget Ashton is holding a launch next month for her three books combined into one new trilogy.

The event is being held in the famous book town, with bilingual marketing that has delighted the author.

Hay Library has produced both Welsh and English language posters for the launch, evoking memories for Bridget of her childhood Welsh lessons

The book launch is set to take place on Friday, May 2, at Hay Library.

The trilogy includes ‘Hay Before the Bookshops or the Beeman’s Family’, ‘Cold War, Warm Hearts’, and ‘Hit the Road, Gals’. Together, they tell Bridget’s story of growing up in Hay-on-Wye during the 1950s and 1960s, as well as her later adventures hitchhiking, travelling beyond the Iron Curtain, visiting Africa, and more.

The Welsh phrase “Ar y llyfr” (On the book) - which Bridget first learned in 1954 - has echoed in her mind for 70 years.

Bridget told the Brecon & Radnor Express: “After my father moved the family from Hay to Northumberland in 1955, I never had the chance to learn any more Welsh.

“But I didn’t forget the few phrases that Mr Jones, our Welsh teacher, had taught the unwilling class at Hay County Primary School. ‘Y mae pot ink ar y llyfr’, was one of them. I would recite it in my head all through my growing up years. How could I forget this useful phrase? The ink pot is on the book!”

Bridget continued: “Now I’m thrilled because Hay Library has created the poster for our StoriPowys event on May 2, and it is in both Welsh and English. Lansio Llyfr Llyfregell y Gelli Gandryll - Book Launch at Hay Library.

“I can tell my friends in Northumberland that I’m launching my new trilogy, ‘Hay Girl: The Girl from The Book Festival Town’, bilingually”