Best-selling author Barbara Taylor Bradford will be in Haworth this weekend to talk about her 30-year career and the influence of the Brontes on her work.

The doyenne of epic blockbusters is in her native Yorkshire celebrating the 30th anniversary of her debut novel, A Woman of Substance, which sold millions of copies.

Last week the Leeds-born author, 76, held the Woman Of Substance Awards highlighting “ordinary women who’ve done extraordinary things”. From 300 nominations, she chose Horsforth journalist, and T&A columnist, Lisa Salmon as her real-life woman of substance.

As a result of having rheumatoid arthritis aged three, Mrs Salmon lost most of the sight in one eye. In 2001 she lost the sight in her other eye after she was in a collision with a lorry.

A year later her first child, Conor, accidentally suffocated after she fell asleep while breastfeeding him in a maternity unit.

Mrs Taylor Bradford, who has had 24 best-selling novels published, will be at the Old Schoolroom, Haworth, on Saturday at 7.30pm. For ticket enquiries ring (01535) 640188.