A FORMER North-East student was announced as this year's £25,000 Turner Prize winner tonight, with an exhibition that included cartoon characters such as Homer Simpson.

Felix the Cat, Garfield, and the Titanic movie also appeared in a film by Mark Leckey, where the artist was seen lecturing on his love of animation.

The 44-year-old, who emerged as the bookies favourite, was born in Birkenhead and graduated from Newcastle Polytechnic, later moving to London.

He was named as the winner at a ceremony at London's Tate Britain hosted by Nick Cave.

The Turner Prize is awarded for a body of work - not just that showing in the exhibition.

Leckey was shortlisted for his solo exhibitions Industrial Light & Magic at Le Consortium, Dijon, and Resident at Kolnischer Kunstverein, Cologne, combining sculpture, film, sound and performance.

The jury commended the "intelligent, energetic and seductive nature" of his work.

They said in a statement: "With wit and originality, Leckey has found a variety of forms to communicate his fascination with visual culture."

Leckey was appointed Professor of Film Studies at Stadelschule, Frankfurt am Main and became a founding member of musical collectives Donateller and Jack too Jack.

Speaking about his work before the announcement, the artist, who is fascinated by how flat images can become 3D, said: "I want to transform my world and make it more so. Make it more of what it is."

Leckey's contributions to group shows include Pale Carnage, Arnolfini, Bristol; Music is a Better Noise, PS1 Centre for Contemporary Art, New York; Tate Triennial for Contemporary Art, Tate Britain and British Art Show 6, Baltic, Gateshead.

The Turner Prize is awarded to a British artist under 50 for an outstanding exhibition or presentation of their work in the 12 months before May 6.

The total award fund is £40,000 with £5,000 each for the other shortlisted artists.

Leckey was the only man on this year's shortlist and just three women have won the prize since its first year in 1984.