Visitor attractions operator Merlin Entertainments has teamed up with Wimbledon College of Art to create an new arts award for promising artists.

Called Madame Tussauds Award, the first-ever winner of the prize is Eun Jung Ha.

The Madame Tussauds Award will be given annually to a third year student at the college who has produced a significant piece, or pieces of figurative work for their final degree exam.

Thorough documentation of the processes used during the final year is a pre-requisite for any student wishing to be considered for the award by the panel of judges which included Tim Burnell, production director for Merlin Entertainments and George Blacklock, dean of wimbledon College of Art.

The Award and placements, together with Merlin's other planned sponsorships of course modules at the college, add up to the company investing in excess of £75,000 a year in future talent at the college.

According to a spokesperson, the sponsorship underlines Merlin's support and appreciation of the quality of the work done on the Wimbledon college, particularly in teaching anatomy, sculptural and moulding techniques.

The Madame Tussauds Award supports another Merlin scheme which offers a number of fixed term contracts for one year to post-graduate students, at Merlin's London Studios - potentially leading to full time jobs.

Allan Sly, senior lecturer, technical arts & special effects, said: "The partnership with Merlin Entertainments is a testament to just how successfully the world of academia and commerce can work together.

"Our students have gained enormously from their exposure to the Merlin/Madame Tussauds business - in fact we have truly learnt from one another."