Iain Banks, the writer who recently announced he had only months to live, has pledged to spend his final days writing letters to his favourite authors.

The author of The Crow Road and The Wasp Factory said he had been overwhelmed by the “outpouring of love, affection and respect” since his revelation last month that he was suffering from bladder cancer.

In a blog posting Banks, 59, said the messages of support had made him realise that he, along with other authors, had “engendered more love out there than we think we have”.

He added: “It’s only the fact that I’ve been able to pre-announce my own demise that has allowed me to realise my portion of that love in full while I’m still around