World famous children’s author, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, and TS Eliot Poetry Prize winner David Harsent have revealed their favourite books.

The pair disclosed their number one reads to the University of Roehampton, to encourage people to enjoy learning about literature.

Dame Jacqueline, Chancellor of the University, picked Jane Eyre as her top book for serious readers.

Meanwhile, Professor Harsent, chairman of Roehampton Poetry Centre, named Four Quartets by Eliot as his favourite.

Dame Jacqueline also named her top children's book and said: “My favourite children's book is totally unknown.

“It's called Nancy and Plum by an American author, Betty Macdonald. 

"It's recently been re-published by Vintage, and I'm delighted.  It's a story about two orphan girls who live in a horrible boarding school and cope with misfortune by playing all sorts of imaginary games, a practice I certainly understand.

"My favourite adult book is Jane Eyre - another orphan, another institution.”