BUDDING writers and book fans took tips yesterday from a best-selling author.

Lynda Page, whose adult fiction includes For What It's Worth, A Lucky Break and No Going Back, gave a talk to a group of enthusiasts at Hartlepool Central Library.

She spoke about the pros and cons of becoming a successful author and where her ideas come from. She also headed an informal writing workshop.

Denise Sparrowhawk, reader development officer for Hartlepool Libraries, said: "This is a rare opportunity to learn from a best-selling author.

"There was a good turnout. "Lynda spoke about how she became a writer and how she developed her story lines.

"She is a very popular author, and we hope this is the first of a number of authors we are looking to bring to Hartlepool."