A former regional daily sub-editor who turned to writing novels has won a top crime-writing award.

Belinda Bauer was a sub-editor on the Western Mail before winning a screenwriting competition run by Bafta in the 1990s.

However the only script filmed she had – Happy Now, starring Ioan Gruffudd and Alison Steadman – was never released and she turned to writing novels instead.

Now her new book Rubbernecker has been named crime novel of the year and earned plaudits from the doyenne of the genre, Lynda La Plante.

Said Belinda:  “I’m a failed screenwriter. That became so soul-destroying, because you really pour your heart and soul into it.

“I wrote my first book Blacklands, and that was so successful that I immediately knew I could become a novelist rather than a screenwriter.”

The new novel – Belinda’s fourth – tells the story of Patrick Fort, an anatomy student who suspects the body he is dissecting as part of his studies is that of a murder victim.

It was named crime novel of the year at the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

The Harrogate ceremony also saw Lynda La Plante, who is best known for creating the Prime Suspect TV series, pick up an outstanding achievement award.

She praised Belinda and this year’s other nominees for their innovative stories and research.

“I think it’s making crime writing into a more respected genre. What they’re coming up with now are really fabulous detectives and characters,” she added.