A talented teenager has been celebrating after winning the Young British Dancer of the Year competition.

Jamie Bond received the coveted national award after competing at London's Royal Opera House, in front of an audience including Princess Margaret and key figures in the world of classical dance.

The 17-year-old, from Lansdowne Avenue, Leigh, said: "It was a very nerve-wracking experience. I just couldn't believe I had won when they announced my name. I'm still coming to terms with actually getting this prize, which is so important in the world of dancing."

Jamie performed two solos from Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. He competed against 70 talented dancers to get to the finals, where he was up against 16 other competitors.

At a reception after the competition, he rubbed shoulders with many stars of the dancing world, including legend Dame Antoinette Sibley, now retired.

He said: "It was such an honour meeting these people who I have seen on television. It was a very inspiring ceremony, and I'm so thrilled to have won."

Jamie, who has been studying at ballet school in Hammersmith for six years, also won a £2,500 prize which he is putting towards dancing lessons.

Ceremony - dancer Jamie Bond collects his award from actress Moira Shearer at the London gathering

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