A FLINTSHIRE award winner has spoken of his pride just days before the next event.

Dr Goronwy Wynne was last year's winner of the annual Literature Wales award, Wales Book of the Year, and he said it is a huge boost for writers.

The book by the botanist and author, ‘Blodau Cymru, Byd y Planhigion’ (translation: ‘Flowers of Wales, World of Plants’) is now in its third edition and has sold well over a thousand copies.

Dr Wynne, of Lixwm, said: "The prize has opened a few doors for me, I have to say, and people have been so kind. It has sold extremely well, far more than expected for a book that is somewhat specialist and costs nearly £40."

The 2019 Book of the Year competition will be held at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Thursday, June 20.

Dr Wynne has just received the H Bloomer Award from the world's oldest active biological society, Linnean Society of London, for his immense contribution, as a naturalist, to biological knowledge.

He added: "The members of this society took a great interest in the work about the flora of Wales and the book has helped to earn the language recognition beyond the borders of Wales.

"I was personally honoured to win the award in London, but I think the award also shows the world that Wales and scientists from our country have a contribution to make.

"I have also spoken at meetings organised by various Welsh societies and the enthusiasm shows that there is room to publish many more nature and science books in Welsh."

A programme about The Wales Book of the Year 2019 will be aired on S4C on Thursday June 20, at 10.00pm, immediately after the ceremony and live from Aberystwyth.

The programme will be presented by journalist Catrin Haf Jones and will feature highlights from the ceremony organised by Literature Wales, interviews with the winners and award adjudicators and literary analysis by a panel of critics. It is a Cwmni Da production for S4C.