The next instalment of George RR Martin's Game of Thrones book series, The Winds of Winter, looks set to be released next year, according to the book's publisher.

The Winds of Winter will be the sixth book in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, upon which the hit HBO show Game of Thrones is based.

Alejo Cuervo, the publisher of the books in Spain, told Spanish radio show El Mon RAC1 that The Winds of Winter is "expected next year" and that he is "confident" that the book will arrive on time.

Cuervo did however say there are no guarantees, joking that "a meteor could fall."

Martin previously said he hoped that the book would go on sale before the sixth season of the TV show premieres.