Patrick Forsyth's novel, Once a Thief, has won Best First-Time Feature Writer Script at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival.

A Maldon based fiction and non-fiction writer, Forsyth was previously nonchalant about his novel's screenplay contract. Mr Forsyth said it was: "a million miles from actually being able to watch it as a film".

Now, with this accolade, it edges closer to potentially becoming a full-fledged film.

Mr Forsyth continued: "This is something that professionals in the film world look at in their search for suitable projects, so, as I said when the contract to write the screenplay was signed, ‘You never know!"

The script competently sheds light on lead character Tracy Hines's wrenching journey, her locksmith apprenticeship, and dangerous brush with criminal acts.

The accolade could presumably escalate the filming process.

However, Forsyth's original book remains available, particularly at Maldon Books on High Street, as film production is yet to commence.