A BLUE plaque commemorating the 100th birthday of Helen Forrester will be unveiled outside the late author's former family home in Hoylake later this week.

The unveiling will take place at the address in Warren Road, Hoylake on Friday from 11.30am in front of Helen’s family and friends.

It coincides with the opening of a national theatre tour of By The Waters Of Liverpool, a period drama based on her multi-million selling autobiography.

The 11-week tour opens at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton from March 3 to 8.

Produced by Wirral-based Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms it is directed by Gareth Tudor Price.

The play is written by New Brighton-based musician and playwright Rob Fennah, a friend of Helen's in the latter years of her life.

Describing the plaque as a fitting tribute to Helen, Rob told the Globe: "I first heard about the blue plaque last year when By The Waters Of Liverpool was premiered at the Liverpool Empire.

"I thought it was a fantastic idea and a fitting tribute to one of the UK’s most loved authors.

"I will certainly be there at the unveiling."

Born on June 6, 1919, Helen’s wealthy family were thrown into poverty when her father went bankrupt during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Leaving behind nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the gentler South West of England, the family chose Liverpool as the place to rebuild their shattered lives. They were in for a terrible shock.

Helen was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Liverpool in 1988 and the University of Alberta in 1993.

She died aged 92 on November 24 2011 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Her writing continues to inspire readers around the world.

Rob Fennah continued: "My background is in pop music and during the late-80s I was given a book called Twopence To Cross The Mersey to read while I was waiting to go into a radio session.

"In the book Helen referred to her father as a 'butterfly in the rain', a beautiful image that inspired me to write a song of the same title for an album I was working on.

"Helen got to hear the track, really liked it, and asked if she could use it when promoting her books around the world.

 There was a picture taken on the day we met which Helen and I jokingly referred to it as 'when leather met tweed'.

"It's a lovely photograph and says everything about the friendship that was to follow.

"Once we'd got to know each other, I asked if I could adapt Twopence To Cross The Mersey into a stage play.

"I'd dabbled in theatre before with some moderate success.

"Helen agreed, but on the strict understanding she had final approval.

"‘After all Rob', she reminded me, 'this is my life!'

"Helen flew from her Canada home to attend the première at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool and it went on to become hugely successful. 

"Although Helen is no longer with us, she is always in my thoughts.

"While I was adapting By The Waters Of Liverpool, I imagined her looking over my shoulder, checking that all the little details were correct and in order.

"It's a real privilege to be entrusted with her most famous works, but also a huge responsibility."

Helen's son Robert Bhatia will be among those at Friday’s unveiling.

He said: "My family and I will be flying over from our home in Canada to be at the unveiling and attend the been outstanding".

Kate Bradley, senior commissioning editor at HarperFiction said: "I’m delighted that Helen’s contribution to Liverpool’s rich cultural history is being honoured on what would have been her 100th birthday.

"Helen's books were gut-wrenchingly honest about her experience growing up in Liverpool.

"But it's her humanity and passion for life that always shines through and it’s this tenderness and understanding that have made the books enduringly popular with readers."

nTickets for By The Waters Of Liverpool's Floral Pavilion leg are from floralpavilion.com or 666 0000.