CRIME fiction writers Bob and Carol Bridgestock, who served for nearly 50 years between them with West Yorkshire Police, have been taken on by a top London agent.

The husband and wife authors, who are originally from Brighouse, have been accepted as clients by the DHH Literary Agency. The couple, who write under the pen name RC Bridgestock, were recently voted the eighth best crime and thriller writers of all time, ahead of PD James.

And The Gate Films company has taken up the option of developing their crime series featuring DI Jack Dylan to develop as a television series for television.

David Headley, of DHH, said: "They are a very talented writing team with a extraordinary passion for writing and have huge untapped potential."

Mr Bridgestock was a detective superintendent before retirement, taking charge of 26 murder casesand working on the Yorkshire Ripper inquiry, while his wife was a civilian worker for the West Yorkshire force.