A GIFTED dancer is hoping to wow the judges tonight in the Britain's Got Talent (BGT) final.

James Hobley received a standing ovation with his ballet act during the auditions stage of the hugely popular television talent show.

The 11-year-old, from Redcar, has continued to impress the judges and audience alike with his dance routines.

As a result of all of his hard work, the autistic youngster has already secured himself a full bursary to go to ballet school in September once the contest has finished.

He said: "After I've done a routine a couple of times, I don't need to think about it any more, but you have to work at being a good dancer.

"I didn't expect the judges to be so nice to me because my mum told me they'd probably say I was good but not ready and to come back next year."

Tonight, the talented youngster will be competing against the other finalists in a bid to secure the BGT crown.

The youngster has the backing of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Councillor Olwyn Peters said she was looking forward to greeting him in the Mayor's parlour when he returns home.

She said: "It is fantastic to see a young boy from our area performing so magnificently in front of a national and international audience.

"James is a real credit to Redcar, and the borough as a whole, and I really hope that local people give him their vote in tonight's final."

The Scared Heart School pupil impressed both judges and the audience with his energy-packed performance to Happy by Leona Lewis.

The youngster managed to get through to the final after the judges picked him ahead of bell-ringing duo Gay and Alan. Impersonator Les Gibson went through with the most votes.