TRAINSPOTTING author Irvine Welsh has caused a storm in Australia by acting like one of the foul-mouthed characters in his books, writes Cameron Simpson.

At a debate, Welsh swilled beer, launched a four-letter tirade at organisers, then silently read one of his own books.

The Scots novelist was flown to Australia to take part in the Sydney Writers' Festival but has refused to help publicise the event.

All requests for interviews have been turned down but a spokes-man insisted he would ''fulfil his obligations''.

However, he left officials choking on their mineral water when he turned up for a debate on English literature in Sydney Town Hall.

He blasted the warm welcome given to him by chairwoman Louise Adler, then gave a one-line defence of his controversial novels.

Welsh told the invited audience: ''I'll try to ignore that bullshit introduction. There's f. . . all to say about my books other than what's written in them.''

He spent the rest of the night knocking back bottles of beer while reading one of his own books and taking no further part in the debate.

One academic at the debate said: ''Welsh gave a performance which would have made Sid Vicious proud. At least it proves there's plenty of room in the stuffy world of literature for the sort of excesses normally associated with rock'n'roll.''

A festival spokesman said: ''Irvine is a unique talent with an individual way of expressing himself.''

Welsh, who acts as his own agent and manager, was unavailable for comment.

qA Canadian author was last night named the winner of a prestigious award for women writers.

Carol Shields won the Orange Prize for Fiction and #30,000 for her novel, Larry's Party.

She was given the award, made annually for the best novel written by a woman and published in the UK, during a ceremony at The People's Palace in London's Royal Festival Hall.