Maeve Binchy’s final book is to be published later this year and is expected to top the Christmas best sellers list.

The collection of short stories – called A Week In Winter – was in the editing stage at the time of the author’s death last month.

Maeve Binchy’s husband Gordon Snell has decided that publication of the book should go ahead.

The final draft of the 464 page manuscript will be completed by Maeve’s long-standing editor Carol Baron.