Bestselling author Peter James has insisted there was nothing fishy about his latest award.

The author made good on his promise to buy fish and chips for anyone who turned up at the Palace Pier Brighton to congratulate him on scooping the Specsavers’ ITV3 People’s Bestseller Dagger Award.

The Lewes-based crime writer bested Lee Child, David Baldacci, Mark Billingham and Peter Robinson to win the award, which was voted for by viewers.

The ceremony, which was supported by the Crime Writers’ Association, was broadcast on Tuesday evening.

Mr James said: “The is a wonderful award that strikes at the very heart of what good books are all about: Enthralling readers with gripping, page-turning fiction - and decided not by an elite committee but by the very people who read and loved them, the general public. I don't think there can be a higher accolade for any author and I could not be more thrilled.”

For full story see today's Argus.