Bracknell

Ann WiddecombeMember of Parliament (MP) and former government home affairs minister turned novelist Ann Widdecombe took time out of her busy schedule to meet bookworms at Bracknell Library yesterday (February 14).

Ann delighted 100 fans when she dropped by the Bracknell Forest Borough Council library to talk about how she got into writing and her plans for writing after she retires.

She has written four best-selling novels: The Clematis Tree, Father Figure, An Act of Treachery and An Act of Peace. She is currently working on her fifth novel.

Last night Ann answered questions about her novels and political career before signing some of her books.

Ruth Burgess, Head of Libraries and Information, said: "Ann's books are very popular in our libraries so it was no surprise that tickets for this event sold out quickly.

"She gave a thoroughly entertaining talk about her work as novelist and politicican. Everyone enjoyed the evening and I'm pleased that once again we have been able to attract another high profile writer to our libraries."

Ann has been MP for Maidstone (Maidstone and The Weald since 1997) since 1987. She worked in marketing for Unilever from 1973 to 1975 and was a senior administrator at London University from 1975 to 1987 before being elected to Parliament.

Born in Bath in 1947 she was educated at the Royal Naval School Singapore, La Sainte Union Convent Bath, Birmingham University (BA Hons Latin) and Oxford University (BA Hons Politics, Philosophy and Economics) LMH MA 1976.

Other top flight writers to come to Bracknell Council's libraries in recent times include Morse creator Colin Dexter, Freya North, Katie Fforde and Cynthia Harrod-Eagles.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council