Film professor scoops Turner Prize

7:49am Tuesday 2nd December 2008

An artist who created an exhibition with cartoon characters such as Homer Simpson won the Turner Prize.

Mark Leckey, 44, won the £25,000 prize at London's Tate Britain with a film which included the artist lecturing on his love of animation.

Felix the Cat, Garfield, and the Titanic movie also appeared in the film by Leckey, who was born in Birkenhead and graduated from Newcastle Polytechnic before moving to London.

He was named as the winner at the ceremony and was given the award by rock singer Nick Cave on Monday night.

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.

Leckey received huge cheers as his victory was announced.

He joked: "I really haven't prepared anything ... I'm chuffed to bits.

I'm reverting to my roots and getting Scouser as I talk."