STUDENTS at a South Lakeland school were given a professional insight into writing when playwright Alan Bennett visited.

The 81-year-old creator of History Boys spent last Friday afternoon at The Queen Katherine School, Kendal, talking about his background and providing writing tips to the sixth formers.

Mr Bennett, who has a home in the Craven, told the Gazette: "I've been speaking about my career really; it is a good chance to get in on the ground floor and for them to hear it from the horse's mouth.

"I always thought my school, my family, and everything about my life was pretty dull and I didn't think I had anything to write about. It was only when I was middle-aged that I began to realise there were things I could write about.

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"If you get close enough into anybody's life then everybody has got something to write about – you don't have to lead an exciting life to be able to write."

Laura Holliday, head of English, said: "Students relished the opportunity to meet with an award winning dramatist. Alan gave a unique insight into the texts students are studying as well as providing excellent advice and inspiration to the significant number of very talented young writers we have at QKS.

"Perhaps in the future one of our students will come back to visit us following a successful writing career.

"We’re very grateful to Alan for taking the time to meet with and enthuse our sixth form students.

"Many students are studying Bennett’s work as part of their A level courses and valued this extraordinary experience to further their study and develop their creative writing."