READERS have shared their views after world-renowned author JK Rowling praised Barrow after researching the town for one of her Strike novels.

The novelist, famous for her Harry Potter series, visited the town as a recce for her 2015 novel Career of Evil.

She was spotted in the town centre the year before.

JK Rowling replied to a tweet thanking her for visiting the town previously under a thread related to an upcoming Strike novel, called The Running Grave, written under pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

She said: "Barrow-in-Furness was one of my very favourite places I've visited while researching these books. Utterly unlike any other British town I can think of."

Some readers were quick to agree that Barrow is a special place, others were not so sure.

Luke Taylor said: “Totally agree with her. I happen to come from the same area as she does and also feel that Barrow is a very special place. It's rough and a bit bleak, but it's so brilliantly northern. Maybe you have to be a southerner to fully appreciate it!”

Lep Wilson said: “Too right, thank you sweet girl. Love you all.”

Sharon Smith said: “As if anyone would say that about Barrow.”

Chris French said: “So she was here nine years ago. Okay. I wonder if she would say the same now.”

Sylvia McGraffin said: “I suppose she meant Barrow was genuine, with no airs and graces.”

Kayleigh Graveson said: “It's lovely to hear authors talk passionately about our area. Hopefully this comment, from one of the world's most famous authors, will inspire and encourage children to engage with reading and writing. Anything we can do to encourage children to read is a good thing!”

Oliver MacDonald said: “Looks like somebody didn’t get their sausage roll stolen by a seagull.”

Steve Huntley said: “Did she spend too much time in Spoons?”