The shortlist for this year's Brit Awards has been announced with Coldplay and Duffy leading the way.

Chris Martin's crew and the Welsh diva each received four nominations.

Duffy was nominated for best album, best single for chart-topper Mercy, best female solo artist and best breakthrough act. The recognition caps a remarkable debut year for the singer-songwriter, whose Rockferry was the best-selling album of 2008 and moved 4.5 million copies around the world.

Fresh from leading a British invasion of the Grammys, where they bagged seven nominations, Coldplay will go head to head with Duffy for best album for Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends and best single for Viva La Vida.

They are also up for best live act and will battle for the best group title with Girls Aloud, Radiohead, Take That and long-time indie underdogs Elbow.

After a decade and a half of relative obscurity, Mercury Prize winners Elbow are now up for three Brits: best group, best album and best live act.

Radiohead's In Rainbows and The Ting Tings' We Started Nothing complete the nominations for best album, while the Verve, newcomers Scouting for Girls and seasoned rockers Iron Maiden are all up for best live act.

The Pet Shop Boys will claim the Outstanding Contribution to Music award, while Florence & the Machine were named Critics' Choice.

Kylie Minogue and Gavin and Stacey stars James Corden and Mathew Horne will present this year's awards at London's Earls Court on February 18.

Among the stars appearing on the night will be Kings of Leon, Duffy, Girls Aloud and U2.

Music fans can vote for their favourite British single, live act and breakthrough act from the shortlists.

For the full list of nominees CLICK HERE