Today is World Book Day (Thursday 6th March) and it's being celebrated in the Western Isles through an innovative literary project.

World Book Days sees the publication of the first ever e-book about the Western Isles thanks to Work Global - a partnership organisation funded by Western Isles Enterprise (WIE), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and the European Regional Development Fund, to develop Information Communications Technology (ICT) businesses in the Western Isles.

In a unique, international collaboration orchestrated by Work Global, 'Circle of Sea' by Jill Olive Ward - depicting the writer's experiences after she bought a croft in Lewis - will become an e-book when it is launched electronically at Stornoway and Shawbost Libraries and Pairc School.

Today's e-book launch is the result of ongoing communications between Work Global and a South African-based e-publishing company, who happen to be considering relocation to the Western Isles from Cape Town.

Manager of Work Global, Donnie Morrison explained: "I provided some illustrations for 'Circle of Sea' and coincidentally was in contact with Colin and Lillian Haynes of eBooks Africa at about the same time.  Lillian and Colin are considering relocating to the Western Isles because their ICT-based business can be operated from anywhere in the world.

"It made sense to bring 'Circle of Sea' and the Haynes together and Lillian and Colin agreed it was a suitable book for publication.  Lillian even provided some photographs and notes on the wildlife and habitat of the area for 'Circle of Sea'."

Commenting on the e-publishing initiative, WIE chief executive Donnie Macaulay said: "It is rather exciting to have the first ever e-book about the Western Isles launched into cyber space on World Book Day.

"We are pleased that the communication between Work Global and the Haynes has allowed this to happen and we hope that the ongoing potential relocation discussions between the two will result in a positive outcome for the Western Isles.

"With modern telecommunications and the development of wireless broadband in the Western Isles, it is an ideal location for business."