A CELEBRITY comedian and leading mental health campaigner led an ‘inspirational’ talk in Oxfordshire.

More than 400 people packed into the Amey Theatre in Abingdon to listen to Ruby Wax, in conversation with scriptwriter Paul Mayhew-Archer.

Independent bookstore Mostly Books, based in the town, hosted the sold-out event at Abingdon School on Tuesday evening and hailed it a ‘huge success’.

Ms Wax visited the county to promote the paperback publication of her latest book, How to be Human: The Manual.

Sarah Dennis, owner of Mostly Books, said: “The conversation flowed freely, interjected with huge bouts of laughter as Ruby and Paul made hilarious observation after observation.

“The main event ended with a mindfulness exercise which involved the entire audience and, when it was happening, a calm fell across the auditorium. It’s quite incredible to witness more than 400 people practising mindfulness.”

Oxfordshire resident Mr Mayhew-Archer, who co-wrote the Vicar of Dibley, warmed up the audience before welcoming Ms Wax on stage.

Discussions ranged from how she worked on her new book with a monk and a neuroscientist, to uncovering emotional details of her family history whilst filming for the television show Who Do You Think You Are?

The comedian then took part in a question and answer session, before sitting down to sign copies of audience members’ books.

Ms Dennis added: “The queue snaked its way across the room and out the door but that didn’t faze Ruby.

“Books were signed in a flash as she chatted and posed for photographs.

“The comments heard time and time again was that the combination of Ruby and Paul had been a huge success.

“It was wonderful to have someone as inspirational as Ruby Wax visit Abingdon.” The book is pitched by its publisher as ‘ the only manual you need to help you upgrade your mind as much as you’ve upgraded your iPhone’.