BRIGHTON and Hove is a beautiful place, architecturally and in its natural setting. But anyone who has ever lived here knows it is the people who make it really interesting.

This was a chance to trespass into their lives by seeing them with the eyes of authors who have made the city their home. To hear experiences of Brighton refracted through the minds of 14 of its best living writers was a real privilege.

In a brilliantly planned, perfectly executed event, writer after writer took to the microphone to share true and imagined tales about the town with which all residents fall helplessly in love.

We followed a young ex-con arriving in Pool Valley for a new start, a dying lover on his last weekend break and a teenager discovering the power of youth at a concert by The Now in 1961.

For a few minutes we became kebab workers in West Street, startled by a morose customer who has painted his whole body blue, a would-be rapist eyeing up a victim on the beach, a writer brutally assaulted in Elm Grove and a new mum getting used to her new skin in Bill's Cafe.

Poignant, powerful experiences were delivered to us expertly alongside great humour and superb characterisation.

Organised by novelists Alison MacLeod and Susanna Jones, and hosted by author and comedian Annabel Giles, there were spots from writers Peter James, Sam O'Reilly, Daniel Raven, Nicky Singer, Ed Siegle and David Bramwell, with actors reading extracts from Brighton Rock, Julie Burchill's Sugar Rush and Helen Zahavi's Dirty Weekend. There was reminiscing about the past and admiration for the present in this "schizophrenic town".

It is a shame there aren't more events like this in a city with thousands of tales to tell.