Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England and destination for countless charidee participants, is the venue for a unique book launch next month.

Lovers of mountain literature will be able to pick up a copy of a reissued classic tale of heroic derring-do at the summit cairn on 9 September.

The launch will take place between 1pm and 3pm on the 978m peak and, according to the publishers, complimentary wine and cheese will be on offer.

And the name of the novel at the centre of all this palaver? Scratch & Co, the Great Cat Expedition. No, grough hadn’t heard of it either. But if we tell you it was illustrated by a Mr Wainwright of Kendal, the picture may become clearer.

The book, by author Molly Lefebure, tells the tale of cat Scratch and his mountaineering buddies, and their attempt on the HKP – the Highest Known Peak, in other words Scafell Pike – hence  the venue for the relaunch.

It was first published in 1968 and is being reissued by independent publisher Mountainmere Research. Prototype Grumpy Old Man Alfred Wainwright, more famed for his illustrated guides to the Lakeland Fells, had to borrow a mongoose from the Kendal Museum as a model for one of the characters.

If you’re making your way to the top of Scafell Pike for the launch, take your £11.99 with you for a chance to buy a copy at what will, grough is sure, be the country’s highest bookseller that day.