Lily Allen leads Brit nominations

Lily Allen leads the field for the Brit Awards 2007, shortlisted for four prizes including best British female solo artist and best British album. The singer is also in contention for British breakthrough act and British single for Smile, to be decided by a public vote during the awards.

Rock band Muse have three nominations - for best British group, British album and British live act. The Brit Awards will be held at Earls Court, London, on 14 February.

US dance act Gnarls Barkley scored three nominations for best international group, album and breakthrough act.

Corinne Bailey Rae, James Morrison and Snow Patrol were each shortlisted three times, including a place on the best British single list.

Best British male solo artist is a five-way race between James Morrison, Jarvis Cocker, Lemar, Paolo Nutini and Thom Yorke.

Former Pulp singer Cocker provided one of the Brits' most memorable moments when he jumped on the stage in 1996 during a Michael Jackson performance. He said after the announcement of his nomination: "I think I deserved it, but then I am a very egotistical person."

Muse are up against the Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Razorlight and Snow Patrol for best British group.

Take That, who made a successful comeback in 2006, get a best British single nomination for Patience. Their former bandmate Robbie Williams is in the running for best British live act, alongside George Michael, Guillemots, Muse and Kasabian.

Rock band Muse earned a 2006 Mercury Prize nomination
The British single award is the event's first live vote.

The 11 shortlisted singles will be whittled down to a final five by commercial radio listeners in the run-up to the event.

X Factor winner Leona Lewis's Christmas hit A Moment Like This is one of those in the running.

She said: "So much has happened. I've released a single, got to number one, and now to be nominated - it's just amazing."

Other British artists with two nominations are Amy Winehouse, Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys.

Bob Dylan and Justin Timberlake are both nominated for international male solo artist and international album.

The bands performing live at the ceremony will include Snow Patrol, The Scissor Sisters, The Killers, Take That, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Oasis.

Oasis will receive the award for outstanding contribution to music.document.write(unescape("