A handwriting specialist will be showing off her skills this weekend at a local hotel's Ultimate Girls Getaway.

Author and graphologist Beverley East has spent much of her adult life honing her skills, after first picking up on her talent while working with a firm of recruiters.

"My initial course in graphology was to assist me in the position I was doing as a head hunter, but the more I studied the more I realised I wanted to be a handwriting expert full time," Ms East said.

"I love, love, love my work! So yes, when I finished my Masters I really felt I would be an expert, but obviously, it has been 17 years in the making."

She will offer a lecture entitled, 'What Makes you tick?' on Saturday to offer an introduction on handwriting analysis to girl's weekenders at the Fairmont Southampton resort.

"From this I demonstrate simple samples of handwriting from the famous and the infamous," Ms East said. "While giving the lecture those attending can see from their own handwriting or signature what makes them tick. It is one of my favourite seminars because I leave the audience wanting more, but it is fun without being too heavy and too scientific."

Ms East will not be offering personal handwriting analysis, however, during her seminar which will run from 1.30 to 2.15 p.m.

"Unfortunately I will not be analysing handwriting on the spot, as it is too distracting and pulls too much attention on me that the other speakers lose the audience," said Ms East. "I will however take orders prepare the analysis and return by mail to interested parties."

Ms East is the author of 'Finding Mr. Write — A New Slant on Selecting the Perfect Mate' and the novel 'Reaper of Souls', which is based on the 1957 Kendal train crash in Jamaica.

Her presentation will be just one of the many activities for those attending the Southampton resort's Ultimate Girls Getaway. The three-night packages running Thursday-Sunday include: accommodation; a Little Black Dress Calypso Party; pajama party mixer and dinner; afternoon tea; cooking, salsa and fitness classes; more fun seminars and prize giveaways.

For more information visit www.writeanalysis.com and for information on the weekend call 238-8000 or visit www.fairmont.com/southampton or www.ultimategirlsgetaway.com.