A RAGLAN-based author who started a collective for Welsh crime writers has spoken of his optimism for the group's future after its early success.

Matt Johnson is one of the founder members of Crime Cymru, which offers support and promotion to crime writers across Wales.

The group recently held its inaugural event, called 'Coffee and Crime', in Cardiff, and Mr Johnson hopes the group will now work with literary festivals across Wales.

Mr Johnson, a former Metropolitan police officer, has used his experiences to write three crime novels.

He was voted 22nd in a WH Smith readers' list of the best all-time crime writers.

"To say it came as a surprise is an understatement", he said of the poll.

Mr Johnson is currently researching his fourth novel.

A RAGLAN-based author has described being included in a list of the best all-time crime writers as "a real 'wow' moment".

"To say it came as a surprise is an understatement", Mr Johnson said.