TO HER family and friends, Jean Frampton was the quiet lady who used to type up manuscripts for writers.

To Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond novels, Mrs Frampton was the sounding board for some of his most popular plots and may even have been the inspiration behind the character of M's secretary, Miss Moneypenny.

The nature of their working relationship is laid bare in a collection of letters that will be auctioned in Dorchester next month by Dukes. And it's clear that Mrs Frampton, who lived in the tiny hamlet of Bockhampton near Christchurch, played a crucial part in shaping the Bond we know today.

In one letter, dated March 31 1960, written from an address in Fleet Street, Fleming told Mrs Frampton: "I have written a full-length James Bond story, provisionally called Thunderball, and I am correcting chapters which I would be most grateful if you would type, one original plus four or five copies, whichever is easier for your machine."

However, Fleming goes on to write: "I am afraid this is not a good transcript and I would be deeply obliged if you would apply your usual keen mind to any points - absolutely any - that might help the book get into shape."

He continued: "I only ask you to undertake it because your occasional comments on the work you have done for me have been so helpful. Anything your quick eye and mind falls upon, however critical and in whatever aspect of the writing, would be endlessly welcome. I am sorry to have to pass on to you a rather half-baked job."

But Mrs Frampton clearly didn't mind. She replied: "I still regret the end of Thunderball, as my naive and literal mind would like to know what exactly happened to the Disco and the rest of her crew and the bombs, how Domino escaped, and, of course, what about Blofeld (or does he live to fight another day?)."

She made various suggestions, such as seeking to clear up confusion over whether Bond had two mugs of soup or only one. Or there was the occasion she queries: "It seemed off to me that Count Lippe should be having his first treatment at the same time that Bond was having his first as Count Lippe had presumably only arrived about ten minutes before, and had an appointment with Mr Wein."

The letters are being sold on April 10 and interest has been heightened because 2008 is the centenary of Fleming's birth. In addition, the author attended Durnford School near Swanage, and it was there he started reading the boys' books that were to spark his interest in writing adventure novels.

Amy Brenan of Dukes Auctioneers says: "We have definitely chosen the right time to sell the collection as it corresponds with the release of the new James Bond book by Sebastian Faulks and as it is the year of the centenary, we hope that the Bond enthusiasts will be in abundance at the sale."

The lot, which includes letters Fleming wrote to other secretaries, is expected to go for more than £2,000.