I have been writing as long as I can remember.My primary school teachers used to say that I was a great story teller, but that my handwriting wasn’t great because I was always rushing and thinking too far ahead.

Those who fancy some light romance will have something to while away the summer evenings with The Complete Collection of Catherine Cookson (ITV DVD, €179.49).

“I HAVE a phone in one hand and a baby in the other. Ring me back in three minutes.” Such is the hectic lifestyle of Ireland’s latest celebrity writer, Liz Allen.

JK Rowling has soared up the lending league to mount a challenge to Catherine Cookson's dominance of the library world.