Larkin the man comes to life with special show of his possessions

Included in a new exhibition at Wilberforce House is Larkin's typewriter, desk, slippers, glasses, razors, toad collection, pipe, and the record player on which he played his beloved jazz. The objects are on loan from the Philip Larkin Society, which bought them after his partner Monica Jones died in 2001. The exhibition runs until December 5 and is part of a programme of events being held across the city to mark the 25th anniversary of the poet's death.

Assistant curator of projects Vanessa Salter said: "Everyone has heard of Philip Larkin the poet, but now everyone can now meet the man.

"Come along and see his animal collection, his famous trademark glasses and his oversized suits."

Hull-born actor Sir Tom Courtenay is returning to the city on Saturday to raise funds for a statue of Larkin which is due to be unveiled in Paragon Station in December.

Sir Tom will perform Larkin Revisited at Hull University.

A total of 55,000 has already been raised towards the 80,000 cost of the statue, which will be a 7ft bronze depicting Larkin heading for a train.