THE untold love story that inspired Boris Pasternak’s epic Russian novel Dr Zhivago was the focus of Haslemere Travel’s inaugural literary evening, which was held at Haslemere Museum as part of the town’s festival.

Even better, his great- niece Anna Pasternak, who has just penned a book about Lara, the love of Dr Zhivago’s life, was there to take about her new publication.

Lara: the Untold Love Story that inspired Dr Zhivago has already been snapped up by Downton Abbey producer Liz Trubridge for a six-part TV series, and she was also on hand to explain how she plans to bring the book to the small screen at the event, which was chaired by author Val Hudson. The hall was packed and long queues formed to buy books by Anna Pasternak and Val Hudson from Haslemere Bookshop’s team and have them signed.

Each guest received an eco cotton goodie bag from Haslemere Travel, which contained details of its new tours to Russia, in keeping with the theme.

Company owner Gemma Antrobus said: “I was delighted with the success of our first literary evening as part of the Haslemere Festival.

“Anna, Liz and Val were all fascinating speakers and the long queues afterwards for books to be signed was testament to how much the audience had enjoyed the event. We were delighted to raise further funds for the museum via the raffle.”