A GREAT Sankey author will be signing copies of his debut book at Waterstones this Saturday.

Steve Corbett, aged 61, published his war memoirs - ‘Belfast Diaries. A Gunner in Northern Ireland. 1971-74’ - with one of the world’s leading specialist publishers of military history last month.

They chronicle his tour of duty in Northern Ireland’s notorious Andersontown at the height of ‘The Troubles’, and a second tour at New Lodge.

The book, which was launched at Agave Rumbar on Sankey Street, has since featured in the ‘Top 10 chart’ at the Golden Square Shopping Centre branch of Waterstones.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw my diaries on the shelf next to blockbusters like George RR Martin’s ‘A Game of Thrones’,” says Steve – a former Process Plant Operator at Joseph Crosfield & Sons.

“It’s a real honour to be invited into the store to sign copies of my book and I’d like to thank the store’s management in advance for having me.”

To purchase a signed copy of ‘Belfast Diaries’, which retails at £16.95, call in at the store between 10am and 12noon on Saturday.

Steve is now working on a follow-up book to his debut - focusing specifically on Andersonstown and military service there between November 1971 and March 1972.

He says: “If anyone served in Andersontown at this particularly volatile time and would like to share their story with me for my next work, please contact me at belfastdiaries@gmail.com”