Jenny and her knitted bicycle visit the Book Festival

Scottish romance novelist Jenny Colgan appeared at The Edinburgh International Book Festival with a vintage bicycle covered in brightly coloured knitting including flowers and pom poms made by fans.

The feelgood fiction writer, who has sold over ten million books across the world, recently launched her latest novel “Close Knit”, with a community knitting group being a key part of the romantic storyline.

The US version of the book features a bike decorated with knitting and crochet – known as “yarnbombing” – on the cover.

The Yarn Cafe community group in North Berwick, East Lothian, decided to make a real version for the author, decorated with flowers, pom poms, and strips of knitting and crochet.

Feelgood fiction writer Colgan said she was delighted with the bike, which has been affectionately nicknamed “Daisy”.

She said: “I was at the gorgeous Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick and the knitters from Yarn Café Scotland knitted the US cover of my latest book.

“It’s amazing. This is the first time anyone has knitted one of my book covers for me.

“I was so overwhelmed we hauled it to the Edinburgh Book Festival where it was on stage for my event and possibly anywhere else I ever appear.”

Yarn Cafe was established last year by Sandra Nicol, and has 25 members from beginners to veteran knitters.

The group has been involved in projects including knitting “The Alternative Harbour Wall” to raise funds for the restoration of North Berwick Harbour and a collaboration with North Berwick in Bloom to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI.

Sandra said: “Daisy was a fun project to do, so it’s great that others enjoy her too.”