She is often referred to as the 'forgotten author'.

But 75 years after her death Rudstone-born writer Winifred Holtby's most famous novel is to be bought to life on screen.

Tomorrow at 9pm BBC One will air the first part of a colourful new adaptation of South Riding, which was Holtby completed shortly before her death in 1935.

Producer Lisa Osborne and her crew spent a week filming at a number of locations across the East Riding, including Hornsea, Bridlington and Sunk Island, last summer.

They also visited the Hull History Centre to explore its Winifred Holtby collection and gain an insight into the East Riding author's life and times.

Ms Osborne said: "We wanted to get a real sense of what East Yorkshire is like.

"We went to the Hull History Centre mainly for picture research to see what the area would have looked like when she was writing the book.

"We wanted a sense of how people lived."

David Smith of the Hull History Centre helped Ms Osborne dig out photos and post cards from among the 1500 items in the Winifred Holtby collection.

The History Centre is home to the original manuscript of South Riding which was published posthumously in March 1936 and won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize.

Mr Smith believes the three-part series will help raise the profile of a forgotten literary talent.

Mr Smith said: "When you mention Winifred Holtby's name to people they don't know who she is.

"The novel is very good, it is set in the 1920s and 30s but a lot of it is very poignant today looking at economic deprivation and political intrigue.

"Hopefully it will help awareness of Winifred Holtby and of this area."

Waterstones have already reported a major boost in sales of South Riding since the new edition was bought out to run alongside the forthcoming series.

Since its launch at the end of November the new edition has sold more copies each week then in the previous three years put together.

Jon Howells, a spokesman for Waterstones, said: "It really has bought a book back to life.

"Until now it wasn't quite forgotten but wasn't be picked up by many people, now we're selling hundreds every week.

"It just shows what a good TV adaptation can do."

There have been two previous screenings of South Riding, a 1938 film directed by Victor Saville and a 1974 series by Stan Barstow for Yorkshire Television.

Set in the aftermath of the First World War and the Great Depression, South Riding tells the story of Sarah Buxton - played in the forthcoming series by Anna Maxwell Martin - who returns home to Yorkshire from London.

Following the death of her fiancé in the trenches Sarah takes up the position of headmistress at a struggling Yorkshire high school for girls.

She is a modern career woman, ambitious and passionate and determined to take her life in her own hands.

But before the story ends Sarah must choose between her hard won career and the object her heart's desire.

Ms Osborne said: "I loved the book when I was 17, it is a wonderful story, full of great characters.

"It is a story about a whole community.

"It feels so relevant to today with the 1930s coalition government and the recession.

"It is such a humane book about how people survive in tough times."

Janet Reuben, chief executive of tourism champions Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, said: "We are excited that another national television programme will be shining the spotlight on some of this region's treasures after the wonderful exposure that Hull and East Yorkshire has benefited from recently.

"Our beautiful coastline and countryside have provided a fabulous backdrop to the programme, showcasing it to millions of viewers."