Giving a talk as part of Portsmouth Festivities, the author of novels The Birthday Boys (about Scott's expedition to the South Pole), Every Man for Himself (based on the Titanic tragedy) and Master Georgie (set in the Crimean war), went on to say that her writing was 'not a distortion of the facts, but an extension of them'.

She offered advice to young writers, saying 'There's no need to make anything up', and encouraged them to draw from their own experiences, as she did in her early novels.

Often viewed as eccentric, Dame Beryl Bainbridge also advised 'don't read too many books about your era'.

The celebrated author confided that she'd given up smoking but found it difficult to write without cigarettes.

Dame Beryl also talked about the life and work of Portsmouth-born writer Olivia Manning, who wrote The Balkan trilogy and The Lavant trilogy.

The author, who knew Ms Manning, said her friend was unhappy about not getting recognition for her books during her lifetime, but that 'she didn't go on about it'.

Dame Beryl was joined for the talk by friend and fellow author, Francis King, who also knew Ms Manning. Mr King remembered how much she hated living in Portsmouth and and apparently referred to Laburnum Grove, where she spent her childhood, as 'the longest, dreariest avenue…'

Mr King conjured up an image of a complex woman with a sometimes vicious tongue, who could also be generous and a true friend. He revealed that her husband was a philanderer and that Ms Manning 'loved to network' and throw parties, but didn't like guests to stay too long.