A HANDFUL of avid fans of author Andy McNab were on hand to meet him in Bolton, despite a veil of secrecy surrounding his visit to the town.

The former SAS man turned best selling writer made a flying visit to Sweetens book shop in Deansgate to sign copies of his latest novel Firewall.

A notice in the book store had told fans only that Mr McNab would be arriving during October. But when he landed yesterday, ardent follower Peter Wells was waiting to greet him.

Peter said: "I've been popping in all the time since I heard he was coming. I was determined to meet him because I admire everything he has done in the SAS."

Mr McNab, aged 40, made a low key arrival at the shop, flanked by a tall 'minder' supplied by the publishing company.

Secrecy surrounds the exact detail of all Mr McNab's appearances because he is considered to be a potential terrorist target for groups, including the IRA.

Mr McNab said: "I have received death threats and one time when we announced a book signing there was a bomb scare.

"It's not fair to put other people through that kind of disruption so we keep things low key. I like it that way anyway because I'm quite a private person."

He is so keen to keep a low profile that he will not allow any photographs to be taken showing his face .

He added: "I'd rather let the words in my books take the spotlight."

Mr McNab shot to fame with his non-fiction book Bravo Two Zero which gave an insight into life with the SAS in Iraq during the Gulf War.

His current novel, which has gone to number one in the hardback book charts, features the story of a high ranking British intelligence man taking on a freelance project in Eastern Europe and the kidnap of a mafia war lord.