The Scottish Book Trust has some exclusive works up for grabs

Some rare and exciting books are being auctioned off for charity.

An online auction featuring exclusive literary items will be launched today (Wednesday) ahead of Book Week Scotland.

Funds from the sale will go towards Scottish Book Trust's programmes to transform the lives of people across Scotland through reading and writing.

Book Week Scotland runs next week (27 November to 3 December) and the auction will close on Friday, 1 December at noon.

Among the items available to bid on is a signed first edition of the second book in the iconic Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Also part of the online charity auction is the chance to win a portrait from one of the UK's top illustrators, Chris Riddell. Chris was the 2015-2017 UK Children's Laureate and is an accomplished artist, as well as the political cartoonist for the Observer newspaper.

Marc Lambert, chief executive of the Scottish Book Trust, said: "These exciting auction items each offer a rare opportunity to bid for a literary treat, while supporting our work in communities across Scotland.

“We rely on fundraising, donations and grants to continue bringing our life-changing programmes to people from all walks of life, so that everyone has an equal chance to thrive through reading and writing.”