SUSSEX crime author Peter James's police protagonists are used to working on leads and bringing criminals to heel.
However, the 72-year-old's new role will see him dealing with four-pawed friends rather than the long arm of the law.
Peter has been announced as the new patron of the RSPCA's Brighton branch.
The organisation is responsible for rehabilitating and rehoming hundreds of animals each year through its animal rescue centre in Patcham.
This work strikes a particular chord with Peter and his wife Lara, who both have a long-standing love of animals, with more than 70 pets housed at their Sussex home.
"Myself and my wife Lara are huge animal lovers," Peter said.
"We have a whole menagerie - two dogs, two cats, four pygmy goats, 30 hens and 35 ducks. Lara has just qualified as a canine massage therapist.
"I grew up with pets and I find animals endlessly fascinating. We had a duck that hatched from an egg that spent his first five months living in the house with us, sitting on the sofa and watching TV.
"I am delighted to become patron of RSPCA Brighton because of the work the branch does to help local animals. Brighton will always be part of my life so it is important to me to support local charities that reflect the things I believe in."
RSPCA Sussex, Brighton and East Grinstead branch chairman Doug Taylor said the charity was "over the moon" to be welcoming Peter as a patron.
"We’re all huge fans of his work, and love that we have a shared connection to Brighton and a shared love of rescue animals," he said.
"We’re really looking forward to having a chance to welcome Peter to the rescue centre for a visit in the future."
RSPCA Brighton has appealed to fellow animal-lovers to show their support as it struggles with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
In line with government requirements, the charity has had to close the shelter to the public but still faced the challenge of caring for animals taken in after facing cruelty, neglect or abandonment.
The charity is a separately registered branch of the RSPCA, and is responsible for raising all funds locally to run the RSPCA Patcham Animal Centre. The rescue shelter cares for dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, reptiles, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, chickens, ferrets and various birds, both wild and domestic. Last year, it rehomed 594 animals.
Doug said: “Our main sources of income sadly dried up with all events cancelled so we’re desperate for all the help we can get.
"We need more than £720,000 a year to keep the shelter running, and we desperately need support from kind-hearted members of the public to continue to provide care for animals in need."
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