Talks: Lynne Truss and Michael Holroyd, Pavilion Theatre

They were there to discuss the merits of Sussex-born writer Patrick Hamilton in celebration of the centenary of his birth.

According to both authors, Hamilton's lack of fame is undeserved and judging by the size of the earnest audience at the Pavilion Theatre, there are plenty of people who agree.

No one had a bad word to say about the writer and dramatist's outpourings whose works include Rope, which was made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock.

Hamilton died in his 50s which was a ripe old age if you consider that he was known frequently to consume three bottles of whisky in an evening.

It was also noted that a pub would feature in every one of his books along with dingy boarding houses and dark streets.

Truss, the author of the phenomenally successful Eats, Shoots And Leaves was every inch as you would expect her to be - mildly scolding yet lighthearted and funny.

Although clearly a fan, she pointed out that to inhabit Hamilton's imagination for too long would be rather depressing.

She spoke in front of the substantial audience while making you feel as if you were having a chat with her over a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit.

Holroyd was more theatrical in his approach and the two complemented each other in their juxtaposed styles.

The question of why Hamilton is not better known dominated the conversation and the suggestion emerged more than once that Graham Greene occupied the tortured soul space in literature and left no room for another.

Greene famously said Hamilton's West Pier was one of the best books written about Brighton.

By the end of the discussion it had been unofficially agreed that a Brighton bus should be named after Hamilton in order to boost his waned profile.

At a prompt from an audience member, Truss and Holroyd agreed that for a Hamilton virgin, the three books to start on should be Hangover Square, 20,000 Streets Under The Sky and Slaves Of Solitude.