Wales celebrates literature

Wales celebrated its rich literary heritage last week as it announced the winners of the Wales Book of the Year.

Philip Gross won the English language award for his collection of poems I Spy Pinhole Eye.

His poetry accompanied the work of Simon Denison's pinhole photography of the footings of electricity pylons.

Winning the Welsh language prize was John Davies, for his book Cymru: Y 100 lle i'w gweld cyn marw.

Both writers received a £10,000 prize.

Nick Capaldi, chief executive of Arts Council of Wales, commented: 'The quality and diversity of this year's entries has not only demonstrated the strength and vibrancy of Welsh writing, it has also set a remarkably high standard.

'The books which have featured in this prestigious competition are excellent examples of the growing confidence in what the arts can deliver in and for Wales and shows that literature in Wales is vibrant and thriving.'

Poet Richard Marggraf Turley won the Media Wales People's Choice Prize through an online poll, with Manon Steffan Ros winning the Welsh language award.