Leith Theatre Trust has announced Scottish novelist, playwright and short story writer Irvine Welsh as its patron.

Welsh, whose bestsellers include Trainspotting, Glue and Filth, commented 'I used to play outside the Leith Theatre as a kid and always remember it as an impressive but dormant force. Now Leith Theatre is about to come of age again. The loss of city centre venues and the gentrification of Leith, making it no longer a no-go area for tourists, ensure its development as a city-wide resource essential. And it is, and will remain, a hub for the local community. Please support the Trust and its inspiring vision for bringing the Theatre complex back into full use'.