THURROCK-born writer, Martina Cole, will be visiting WH Smith at Lakeside Shopping Centre on Saturday to sign copies of her brand new novel, Faces'.

Martina's latest gangland thriller is the thirteenth in her series of crime novels based in and around East London. Since 1992 when her first novel, Dangerous Lady', was published, Martina has had two fictional works adapted into television dramas.

Cole still lives close to her roots, as well as her material, near Tilbury, though in a big house rather than the carpetless council flat that she shared with her baby when she started writing 26 years ago.

Laura Davis, Events Manager at WH Smith Lakeside, says: "It's an honour to have Martina back at Lakeside. The book signings are always really popular so we would recommend customers arriving as early as possible to ensure that they get to meet her!"

In order to get a signed copy of Faces', shoppers must come to WH Smith at noon where Martina will be signing copies of her book for an hour.