A performer from Trowbridge has beaten stiff competition to land himself a spot in an award-winning dance adaptation of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.

After wowing judges Jake Edwards, 16, from Hilperton was chosen out of 400 people to join the final cast of just 23 boys to star in the production created by choreographer Matthew Bourne.

Jake, pictured right, has been a pupil at the Morphew School of Dance in Trowbridge since he was four, where he first started ballet and was later awarded a scholarship from the British Ballet Organisation.

He is now a pupil at King Edwards School in Bath where his teachers are delighted with his “wonderful achievement”.

Proud mum Tracy Edwards said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s really exciting that he is part of it and it is a fantastic opportunity for all the boys taking part.

“He’s always enjoyed acting and being in school plays. Dancing is just something he’s always done.

“He’s started the five weeks of rehearsals at the National Dance School Wales and goes straight from school to Cardiff and doesn’t get back until 11pm, so we don’t really get to see him. Lots of family will be going to give support.”

The production will be held at the Wales Millennium Centre on October 22-25, when Jake will perform alongside professional dancers from Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company.