AWARD-winning Burnley writer Paul Abbott returned to his roots when he dropped in on the town's writers' circle.

And to help the writers of tomorrow in their development he donated £5,000 to the club he was a member of in his teens.

Paul visited the writers' circle at their 50th anniversary celebrations at the Sion Church, Church Street.

Long-standing member Elsie Collinge, 78, said: "We were all delighted to bits with the donation, it was a wonderful occasion.

"Paul was great, he was really jovial and he explained he gave the money to help the young people in the circle. It was also good to see some of the old people who we have not seen for a long time."

Paul, 43, has penned a string of hit TV dramas including Shameless and Clocking Off, for which he won his third BAFTA. He also wrote the BBC TV series Linda Green and has based much of his work on growing up in East Lancashire.

He lived in Coal Clough Lane and attended Barden High School, Burnley College and Nelson and Colne College.