JK Rowling, bestselling author of the Harry Potter novels, has donated £1 million to the Labour Party.

In a statement, the author described her experiences as a struggling single parent in the 1990s as her motivation for the gift.

She said: “David Cameron's promise of tax perks for the married is reminiscent of the Conservative government I experienced as a lone parent.

“It sends the message that the Conservatives still believe a childless, dual-income but married couple is more deserving of a financial pat on the head than those struggling, as I once was, to keep their families afloat in difficult times.

“The Labour government has reversed the long-term trend in child poverty, and Britain is now one of the leading EU countries in combating child poverty.”

Ms Rowling is well known for her charitable giving, and co-founded the Children’s High Level Group, which works to ensure that United Nations' minimum standards for the care of children are implemented across Europe and beyond.

JK Rowling is known to have a close personal relationship with Britain’s first lady, Sarah Brown, and her loyalty to the Prime Minster has also been implied.

"Gordon Brown has consistently prioritised and introduced measures that will save as many children as possible from a life lacking in opportunity or choice," she said.

The popular children’s author, who according to the Sunday Times' ‘Rich List’ holds an estimated wealth of £560 million, wrote the majority of her break-through success Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Edinburgh’s Elephant House, on George IV Bridge.

The announcement came as the embattled Labour Party embarked on its annual conference in Manchester.

With the polls indicating a crushing defeat at the next general election, and a growing and increasingly vocal body of MPs questioning the leadership of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the donation was welcomed by Labour officials.

Mr Brown personally thanked the author: "I am delighted that JK Rowling, who is one of the world's greatest ever authors, has made such a generous donation.

"I thank her for supporting the Labour Party and our values of social justice and opportunity for all."

The Labour Party have amassed debts totalling £17.8 million, mostly incurred during campaigning for the 2005 general election.