A BEST-selling crime novelist will lead a crime fiction workshop for budding authors invited to join the literary line-up of this year's Darlington Arts Festival.

John Dean, who has penned 18 novels, is published by London-based The Book Folks and is the creator of top detectives DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris.

Places are still available on the crime writing course that will be held in May.

Mr Dean said: "These are exciting times for new writers to break through into the crime fiction world with more and more publishers springing up daily and signing up new talent.

"My workshop will offers some useful information on how to attract the attention of a publisher.”

His events at Darlington Arts Festival are An Introduction to Crime Fiction writing workshop on May 19, between 10am and 1pm in Dr.inks, Coniscliffe Road. Admission is £15 and open to over 16s. To book, email deangriss@btinternet.com

Mr Dean will host a talk, And The Meek Shall Inherit the Storyline, on the same day at 2pm in Dr.inks. Entry is £3 for over 16s.