Young ballet star Jake Edwards is becoming Trowbridge’s very own Billy Elliott after picking up a top prize with the English Youth Ballet.

But although he has been compared to the dancer made famous by actor Jamie Bell , the 11-year-old, who also performs tap and modern dance, admitted he has never seen the film. He added: “I didn’t have any idea about the award. It was a real honour.

“I enjoy everything about ballet and I would like to be in shows when I’m older.”

He is a pupil at Roundstone Preparatory School in Polebarn Road, Trowbridge. He won the overall prize for his performance in last week’s EYB production of Coppelia at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.

Jake was one of eight children from the town's Morphew School of Dance, based at Roundstone, to take part in the show.

Gill Dobroczynski, Morphew’s Head of Ballet, said: “All the children performed beautifully and faced stiff competition to be selected for the EYB production. I am very proud of all of them.

“In order to make it you have to have the physique, ability and the willingness to learn, and it’s not there in most people.

“Jake has a special talent and has been recognised in everything he has done. He went to the Wayne Sleep workshop at St Augustine’s School last year and Wayne specifically asked which school he belonged to.”

Jake has also been awarded with a prestigious British Ballet Organisation Junior Scholarship, which means he is now taught by top teachers in London once a month.

He is also preparing for the Morphew School of Dance’s own show, Wizard of Oz, which will be staged at the Civic Hall in Trowbridge from March 25 to 28. Tickets are available from the school at info@morphewschoolofdance.co.uk