An Oscar appears to be coming ever closer for Dame Helen Mirren, as she received another prestigious awards nomination this week.

Dame Helen, who grew up in Leigh, has been nominated for a Bafta for her leading role in acclaimed drama, the Queen.

The town's most famous actress has been tipped to win best actress for her portrayal of the Queen in the aftermath of Princess Diana's death.

The film leads the pack at this year's Bafta film awards, after receiving an impressive ten nominations.

The Bond film, Casino Royale, picked up nine nominations, including best actor for Daniel Craig.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, on February 11.

The latest nomination has heightened Dame Helen's chances of winning an Oscar.

She has already been named best actress by the New York's Critics' Circle for her role in the Queen and was recently nominated for the same role by the Screen Actors' Guild.

All the nominations are seen as good indicators of Oscar success.

The actress caused controversy recently after describing Southend as the "armpit of England".