THE award winning and worldwide bestselling author Cecelia Ahern came to Altrincham Grammar School for Girls yesterday, to launch her new novel for Young Adults, ‘Perfect'.

The famous Irish writer signed copies of her new book and chatted with pupils at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls on Thursday March 30.

The novel, the sequel to the hugely popular Flawed, concludes the story of Celestine North, a 17 year old, in hiding and on the run from the Guild, a court set up to rid the world of Flaws.

Her perfect life is ruined by the Guild when she herself is found Flawed and through the process she is forced to question everything about her life and the society she lives in.

The school said it was fascinating to hear Cecelia’s inspiration for the story and her conviction that everyone should be allowed to make mistakes so that they can learn and grow.

She said: “None of us are perfect. Let us not pretend that we are, or be afraid that we’re not.”

At twenty-one, Cecelia – who is daughter of former Irish president Bertie Ahern – wrote her first novel PS, I Love You, which was sold to forty-seven countries.

The film of the same title starred Hilary Swank, Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Bates, Gerry Butler.

PS, I Love You was one of the biggest-selling debut novels of 2004, reaching number one in Ireland and in the UK Sunday Times bestseller list. It was also a bestseller throughout Europe and the USA, staying on the best-seller list in Germany for 52 weeks.

That same year, in November 2004, her second book Where Rainbows End (as Rosie Dunne hardback in the US, Love, Rosie paperback in US) also reached number one in Ireland and the UK, remaining at the top of the Irish bestsellers list for 12 weeks and again was a bestseller internationally.

Where Rainbows End was adapted for film titled Love, Rosie, starring Lily Collins and Sam Claflin.

During her Altrincham visit, Cecelia revealed that the secret to her success lies in the fact that she always burns a Jo Malone candle when she writes.

She advised the pupils to find something that they really loved to do and make that their work so that, like her, they could lead a life that they loved.

The pupils themselves were delighted to be able to meet such a successful author, as one student said: “It was really inspiring, I can’t wait get home and start reading”.