HER murder mystery novels were bestsellers around the globe and were turned into numerous plays, but Agatha Christie was happy to devote her time to her local theatre group.

One of the world’s biggest selling authors sprinkled some dramatic stardust on the productions of the Sinodun Players when she lived at Winterbrook House, in Wallingford.

She was president of the players in Wallingford from 1951 to 1976 and 13 out of 15 letters that have just gone on display at the town’s museum detail her involvement with the group, which put on shows at Wallingford Masonic Hall, Goldsmith Lane.

The Death on the Nile and Ten Little Indians author lived at Winterbrook House from 1934 until her death in 1976 and was married to Sir Max Mallowan.

Judy Dewey, curator of the museum at Flint House in High Street, said the letters of such a private author are drawing in fans.

She said: “There has already been a lot of interest shown in these letters and finding them has given us a very good start to the season.

“We only got 2,000 visitors in total last year which is quite a small number, but we are hoping to double that.

“Some of the letters have been given to us on loan from the Sinodun Players, while a number come from the museum’s own archive.

“Nearly all the letters have never been seen before, and we are using them to present Agatha Christie at home in Wallingford.

“She was a very private person and did not want a lot of publicity in Wallingford, but she was a very faithful president of the Sinodun Players.”

One of the productions the writer was involved in was a pantomime of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

John Warburton, chairman of trustees for the Sinodun Players, said: “I remember her coming to productions in the Masonic Hall, wearing her fur coat, and she would be given flowers, a box of chocolates and a programme.

“When the museum approached us for any Christie memorabilia we were glad to have a look through our archive, and I’m pleased that the public will now be able to see these letters.”

The group still puts on shows at the town’s Corn Exchange.

In a letter to a fundraiser organising a new coat of arms for the town to mark the 800th anniversary of Wallingford’s Charter in 1955, she wrote: “So sorry not to have answered your letter before but I have been away.

“I enclose cheque for £3 3s towards our Wallingford Coat of Arms, yours sincerely, Agatha Mallowan.”

Mrs Dewey said the reference to “our” coat of arms showed “she felt part of Wallingford”.