A CRIME novelist has listed the desk where he wrote his famous works for auction.

Peter James wrote the Detective Roy Grace novels at the custom made desk for nearly 17 years.

Over time the Sussex author said the desk has become like his second home.

But on Wednesday it will go under the auctioneer's hammer with Bellman's.

Mr James said he first got the desk in about 2003, and said it even contained secret compartments to protect his research and work.

"If I had been burgled, nobody would have got away with something important," he said.

But he said the classic wooden desk has outlived its purpose with modern technology demanding new spaces to allow him to continue publishing his crime thrillers.

Author Peter James is selling the desk where he wrote many of his famed books in an auction

Author Peter James is selling the desk where he wrote many of his famed books in an auction

And he said that sadly for him he has no room to keep the desk at his home, so instead it is to be sold.

It could be the chance for crime fiction fans to snap up a piece of history.

Mr James said: "I had always wanted to design my own desk, and for me, this was like a second home. I have spent so much of my life working at it, and it was perfect for compartmenting my research and work.

"Now, with advances in technology I needed a much more modern piece of furniture.

Author Peter James is selling the desk where he wrote many of his famed books in an auction

Author Peter James is selling the desk where he wrote many of his famed books in an auction

"So it is a very sad time to part with it, I cannot put it somewhere else in the house as it is just too big."

Mr James is looking forward to a busy 2021, with the launch of his latest Roy Grace novel Left You Dead in May, and a possible stage production at the Theatre Royal in Brighton in October.

John Simm has hinted that some fans may not be pleased with ITVs production of Grace

John Simm has hinted that some fans may not be pleased with ITV's production of Grace

Meanwhile he was also "thrilled" to see John Simm playing the character on our TV screens, with the first episode on ITV on Sunday.

Read more on The Argus:

Mr James said he has been very impressed by the entire cast of the drama series, and said John Simm was ideal for the role.

Bellmans Auctioneers is based in Billingshurst in Sussex, and has put an estimate of £200 to £400 for the furniture.

Visit www.bellmans.co.uk to find out more.