Hazel Townson began her writing career with Punch magazine, for which she was a regular contributor for many years.

For instance, Philippe Dupasquier and Tony Ross both have the exact measure of childhood, felicitous touches of humour and an apparently total recall of their own early days.

"[3] She frequently visited schools, libraries, colleges and writers' groups to talk about children's literature and to assist with creative writing.

Following its formation in 1985, Townson chaired the panel for the annual "Lancashire Children's Book of the Year" award.

[4] In 2005, Virgin Atlantic selected her most-recent book The Adventures of a Lottery Winner for inclusion in around 50,000 children's on-board goodie bags.