Adam Belbin wins Laughing Horse New Act of the Year 2011

Adam Belbin (pictured) has won The Laughing Horse New Act of the Year 2011 title, the nationwide stand-up comedy competition which has previously been won by the likes of Greg Davies, Russell Kane, Jack Whitehall and recent BAFTA winner Daniel Rigby.

Belbin was awarded the trophy at the Grand Final last night, which took place in Brixton with Imran Yusuf as host. The young stand-up also took home the £1,000 prize, and as part of the winners package will additionally receive offers of paid work throughout the year, plus appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Over 1,100 entrants took part in nationwide heats for this year's Laughing Horse competition, with the best progressing through the quarter finals and semi-finals which took place earlier 2011.

The full line-up of finalists were: Adam Belbin, Stephen Bugeja, Henry Ginsberg, Rory O'Hanlon, Damian Kingsley, Patrick Lappin, Darren Maskell, Chris Turner, Lauren Shearing, Mark Stephenson, Tom Rowson, Darren Walsh and Suzy Wylde.

The judges - Steve Bennett (Chortle), David Hopwood (Highlight), Mike Manera (comedian), Kevin McCarron (Laughing Horse), Corrie McGuire (Objective Talent), JoJo Sutherland (comedian) and Ben Williams (Time Out) - gave second place to Mark Stephenson, whilst Chris Turner and Darren Walsh shared third place.

Laughing Horse promoter Alex Petty says: "It was another fantastic final this year, with quality throughout - and the winner really shone through for me from the rest of the finalists - I do think it amazing that the level of new comedy talent still seems to get stronger every year!"

Laughing Horse will be running a massive 15 venues at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival under its 'Free Festival' banner - it is estimated over 300 different shows will perform in the chain's 32 performance spaces during August.