A student from Oxfordshire has won a competition to create a TV advert for a best-selling crime novel.

The winning advert, by Jamie Childs, 20, of Lucerne Avenue, Bicester, was chosen ahead of 200 others by Patricia Cornwell for her thriller Book of the Dead.

The advert will be broadcast on television stations Five and Five US from Thursday, April 17, to promote the launch of the novel's paperback edition.

Mr Childs, who is studying at the London College of Music and Film, said: "I was on the Internet looking at jobs and upcoming events when I noticed the competition and thought I would check it out.

"Never for a moment did I think I would win it. I can't believe it."

Mr Childs filmed his advert, called The Transfer Tube, in two days. It took a further four days to edit.

He said: "The advert is close-ups of a forensic scene and I filmed silhouettes to make it a bit more moody, which I think worked really well."

The hardback edition of the novel spent eight weeks at number one in The Sunday Times' bestseller list last autumn.

Mr Childs said: "I think the whole advert cost me about £1.60 to make, as I had to buy some rubber gloves for a close-up."

The student, who will collect a cheque for £2,500 for his winning entry, said the money was not as important as the recognition.

He said: "The credibility of being recognised by experienced professionals means so much to me.

"It's more important than the money, though I'm excited that the prize will help me complete the feature film I've been writing."

American author Ms Cornwell said: "I think The Transfer Tube is a fine piece of work, that really captures the essence of my book and shows a great deal of imagination and flair."