ABERGAVENNY writer Owen Sheers has won the Wales Book of the Year Award.

The former King Henry VIII Comprehensive pupil was recognised for his work ‘Pink Mist’ which tells the story of three young soldiers from Bristol deployed to Afghanistan.

Pink Mist topped the poetry category which is titled The Roland Mathias Poetry Award and was named the overall English language Book of the Year Award 2014.

The verse drama follows Arthur, Hads and Taff and their return from conflict to the women in their lives, and their psychological and physical aftershocks of their service.

His book has been described as a ‘phenomenal poem’ that captures the reality of what soldiering is all about and what it’s like to adjust to ‘normality’ when they come home.

Mr Sheers,39, was presented with a stainless steel trophy at the ceremony, held in Caernarfon, North Wales on Thursday night.

Comedian Nadia Kamil, who was one of three judges, said: “We were looking for books that excited us and ones that made us want to continue reading.

“For his powerfully direct prose play exposing the fragile humanity of boys and the women who support them, we were unanimous in our decision that the Wales Book of the Year 2014 is Pink Mist by Owen Sheers.”