With nominations for Dame Helen Mirren and Colin Firth

Colin Firth and Dame Helen Mirren will be representing Britain at next month's Oscars, after they bother received nominations for their roles in recent films.

Colin Firth was nominated for the best actor award for his portrayal of a man mourning the loss of his gay partner in designer Tom Ford's directing debut "A Single Man".

Dame Helen, who won an Academy Award in 2008 for her leading role in "The Queen", was nominated this year for her role as role of writer Leo Tolstoy's wife Sofya in "The Last Station".

The Chiswick born 64 year old faces stiff competition for the title of best actress from Sandra Bullock for her role in "The Blind Side" and Meryl Streep for "Julie & Julia".

The 82nd Academy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on March 7.

February 2, 2010