A former Huddersfield detective has a new crime-fighting role.

Bob Bridgestock – who became a successful novelist after a 30-year police career – has been appointed as a consultant for the hit ITV crime series Scott and Bailey.

He and his wife Carol will work behind the scenes on the fourth series of the show.

Scott and Bailey stars Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp as police officers Rachel Bailey and Janet Scott, two members of Manchester’s Major Incident Team.

The show’s third run drew to a close on May 23, pulling in a final audience of 7.1 million viewers.

Bob, who handled dozens of murder inquiries for West Yorkshire Police, is the man behind the crime novels featuring Det Insp Jack Dylan, set in the fictional Yorkshire town of Harrowfield.

A fourth book in the series, Snow Kills, will be launched by Bob and his wife at Prego Cafe Bar and restaurant in Brighouse on November 3.

And the couple have confirmed that the first three books – Deadly Focus, Consequences and White Lilies have now been sold to the Turkish publisher Trend Yayinevi.

The deal was negotiated by Kalem Agency, of Turkey, and literary agent Monika Luukkonen.

Monika said: “I am very excited about this deal which shows that RC Bridgestock crime novels are starting to get more and more interest from publishers outside the UK.”

Darren Laws from Caffeine Nights, the Bridgestocks’ UK Publisher, said: “This follows on from the rights sale into South Korea earlier in the year and marks a fantastic year for Bob and Carol Bridgestock.

“They have been working as consultants with Red Productions on a new BBC crime drama Happy Valley, and have now been asked to work on ITV’s award-winning crime drama series, Scott and Bailey.”

The couple are also launching a story-writing competition for children in Calderdale, tied in with their November book launch.

Entry is free but donations can be made to the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

Youngsters from the Brighouse and Halifax area will be asked to come up with stories on the theme “Snow Time”.

Entry forms are available to collect in person from Prego Italian Cafe Bar and Restaurant.