AN author who was inspired to write after a visit to Warrington Museum hopes to motivate other budding wordsmiths at the Literature Festival.

Gill Hoffs was fascinated when she spotted artefacts from the wreckage of the RMS Tayleur when she visited the museum with her son.

A curator then began to tell the 34-year-old of the disaster which happened in 1854 and is described as ‘the first Titanic’.

Iron clipper ship Tayleur was launched in Warrington on the River Mersey on October 4, 1853.

She sank on her maiden voyage to Australia in 1854.

Gill, who is originally from Scotland but now lives in Warrington, was so touched by the shipwreck that she put pen to paper and paid tribute to almost 400 people who lost their lives.

It has taken the mum-of-one two years to write the book and on the 160th anniversary of the disaster she reveals new theories behind the sinking and tells the stories of the passengers and crew on the ill-fated vessel.

Gill will be talking about her book, The Sinking of RMS Tayleur, on Friday at the Pyramid centre.

During the evening, she will also share insights on the practicalities of writing non-fiction including structuring the book, research, overcoming difficulties and dead-ends, approaching publishers and agents, editing, sourcing illustrations, and promoting the finished product.

Gill said: “Giving a talk as part of Warrington Lit Fest is particularly exciting for me as there's every chance that descendants of the people who built RMS Tayleur at the Bank Quay Foundry, celebrated her launch in town or travelled on her will be in the audience – and they may not even realise it.”

Gill Hoffs’ talk on The Sinking of RMS Tayleur is on Friday at 7pm at the Pyramid. Tickets are £3. Visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345.