Marine Mysteries writer Pauline Rowson from Hayling Island talked to students from Highbury College's city centre campus in Portsmouth and gave out their prizes for the competition as part of coursework on the essential skills course.

Students on the course come from all walks of life and include people with learning difficulties and those for whom English is their second or other language.

Subjects cover reading, writing and numeracy and courses range from basic skills up to GCSE level.

Mrs Rowson's latest crime novel featuring Inspector Horton has just been published in paperback.

She said: 'It was a privilege to present the prizes. They were a great group of people and it always inspires me when I see so many adults so keen to improve their skills.

'For some it has been a major step to admit they need help and I admire their courage. I was struck by the quality of the work. These are our readers of the future.'