They are female chart-toppers, they are both a bit of a handful - and they will be battling for Britain at this year's MTV Video Music Awards.

Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse have both been nominated for best newcomer at the annual showbusiness ceremony.

But if Allen thinks her nomination means that she is about to conquer the States, she had better sort out her differences with the US authorities. At the moment she is not allowed to work there, following a run-in with immigration officials who revoked her work visa.

Winehouse has picked up a hat-trick of nominations - she is also a contender for female artist of the year and best video for her hit Rehab, competing with Beyoncé in both categories.

The awards will take place at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on 9 September, when Allen and Winehouse are set to perform along with Rihanna, Kanye West and DJ Mark Ronson. The nominations were announced last night in New York.

Allen, 22, was held for five hours by immigration officials at Los Angeles airport on Sunday and questioned about her arrest in London in March for an alleged clash with a photographer.

The singer will return to Britain in the next few days and try to sort out a new visa, which she needs for her US tour next month. She said: "I want my fans to know that I will do everything I can to be back in America in September. I don't like letting my fans down and this is a situation that I am sure we can sort."

MTV Video Music Awards nominations:

Video of the Year
:: Amy Winehouse - Rehab
:: Beyonce - Irreplaceable
:: Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
:: Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around... Comes Around
:: Kanye West - Stronger
:: Rihanna featuring Jay-Z - Umbrella

Male Artist of the Year
:: Akon
:: Justin Timberlake
:: Kanye West
:: T.I.
:: Robin Thicke

Female Artist of the Year
:: Amy Winehouse
:: Beyonce
:: Fergie
:: Nelly Furtado
:: Rihanna

Best New Artist
:: Amy Winehouse
:: Carrie Underwood
:: Gym Class Heroes
:: Lily Allen
:: Peter Bjorn & John

Best Group
:: Fall Out Boy
:: Gym Class Heroes
:: Linkin Park
:: Maroon 5
:: White Stripes

Most Earthshattering Collaboration
:: Akon featuring Eminem - Smack That
:: Beyonce and Shakira - Beautiful Liar
:: Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland - Sexy Back
:: Gwen Stefani featuring Akon - The Sweet Escape
:: U2 featuring Green Day - The Saints Are Coming

Quadruple Threat of the Year
(for artists who have succeeded in several fields, eg music, fashion,
philanthropy, business, acting and dance)
:: Beyonce
:: Bono
:: Jay-Z
:: Justin Timberlake
:: Kanye West

Monster Single of the Year
:: Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend
:: Daughtry - Home
:: Fall Out Boy - Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
:: Lil' Mama - Lip Gloss
:: T-Pain featuring Yung Joc - Buy You A Drank (Shawty Snappin')
:: Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson, D.O.E. and Sebastian - The Way I Are
:: Mims - This Is Why I'm Hot
:: Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah
:: Rihanna featuring Jay-Z - Umbrella
:: Shop Boyz - Party Like A Rock Star