Glasgow and Edinburgh are joining literary forces for the first time to offer thousands of free books to readers in both cities next year.

One of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous adventure stories, The Lost World, will be at the centre of the next "City Read", which will see Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Bristol and other areas in England, distributing thousands of books to encourage literacy and the love of reading.

In previous "city reads", Glasgow has distributed Small Island by Andrea Levy and a collection of poetry, From Saturn to Glasgow, by the nation's Makar, Edwin Morgan, while Edinburgh has used Kidnapped and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

However, next year both cities will use the Conan Doyle book, distributing various versions through libraries, schools and partner organisations in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Conan Doyle as well as the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin.

In Glasgow, The Lost World Read will be part of the annual Aye Write! Bank of Scotland Book Festival, for which The Herald is media partner, and readers will have access to the books through a voucher published in The Herald. More details will be published later in the year.

Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution by natural selection, is relevant to the book as his theories greatly influenced the writing of the novel - its plot features lost human tribes, dinosaurs, and exotic species that are living on a secluded plateau in the South American jungles.

Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury on February 12, 1809, and Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh on May 22, 1859.

Although the number of books to be distributed in Scotland has yet to be finalised, the total for the UK should reach around 200,000.

As part of the scheme, the two cities will also distribute a "quick read" edition and a paperback comic biography on the Life of Charles Darwin.

The reading campaigns will be supported by a programme of public, community and schools events, including performances, films, discussions, debates and readings. A dedicated website will be launched in the New Year, which will have details of all the activities in every part of the country.

The three main cities will also be joined by the county of Hampshire, and the 15 library authorities of South West England.

The Lost World is one of Conan Doyle's most popular books. It is an adventure story that follows Professor Challenger on his quest to find a hidden land where dinosaurs are still alive.

He is accompanied by a small party comprising reporter Edward Malone, adventurer Lord John Roxton and rival academic Professor Summerlee.

The book has inspired TV shows and films, the earliest being a 1925 silent film and the latest a 2001 BBC adaptation, which starred Bob Hoskins.

A new cover has been designed by Bristol's Aardman Animations, featuring their most famous creations, Wallace and Gromit.

Karen Cunningham, director of Aye Write!, said: "I think the book is a wonderful choice, perfect because it not only celebrates a Scottish author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but also has that link to Darwin and his theories. The book has a little bit of everything in it: it has excitement but also touches on a number of issues.

"Most of all it is a really good read and Conan Doyle can really tell a cracking good story - we think it will appeal to everyone."

Edinburgh's campaign will be led by the Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust.

Ali Bowden, the director, said: "It is a fantastic adventure story for all ages, and from an author with a strong Scottish connection."

The Lost World Read will take place in February.