Matthew Bourne reveals New Adventures prize winner

Cousins will receive a £15,000 grant to help him create new solo work

The winner of the first New Adventures Choreographer Award, set up by dancer and choreographer Matthew Bourne, has been named as James Cousins.

The 22-year-old, who beat 14 other finalists, was praised by judges for his "refreshing desire to entertain".

The London Contemporary Dance School graduate will receive a £15,000 grant to work on his choreographic skills.

He will also be mentored by Bourne and will give a showcase performance of his new work next year.

Cousins, from Newbury in Berkshire, graduated from LCDS in 2010 where he received an award for most promising dance artist.

Tom Jackson Greaves was awarded a runner-up prize

Last year he also appeared in Bourne's Swan Lake during its New York season.

The judges, which included Bourne, said they were impressed by Cousins' ambition to form his own company.

Nearly 100 aspiring choreographers applied for the award, set up by Bourne's New Adventures company to mark his 50th birthday last year.

Only one prize was to have been awarded, but the judges decided to create a runner-up prize which they gave to 19-year-old Tom Jackson Greaves.

"Our aim was to find a winner that we feel will benefit most from what New Adventures has to offer, at this stage in their careers," said Bourne.

"I am personally very excited to work with James Cousins and our runner-up Tom Jackson Greaves in helping them to realise some of their ambitions."

The next New Adventures Choreographer Award will be presented in 2013.