Scottish actress Karen Gillan has scored a major breakthrough in her acting career after winning the best newcomer award at a prestigious awards.

Gillan, 27, who played Amy Pond in Doctor Who before forging a new career in film, won best female newcomer for her role in Guardians Of The Galaxy and Oculus.

The star, from Inverness said her triumph was "cool" at the star-studded ceremony in London.

She added: "It is exciting because I genuinely did not think I was going to win it because everyone else in the category should have won. It's a shock and I feel overwhelmed."

Another major winner, Ralph Fiennes, won the accolade of Empire Legend But the star joked that he would "bat away" his newly acquired title, joking it is only for dead people.

The Oscar-nominated and Bafta-winning actor and director received the honour from Liam Neeson at the 2015 Jameson Empire Awards in London.

"I'm not (a legend). I said in my speech that the 'L' word is for dead people," he said backstage.

"I'm flattered, but it's not the case. It's lovely but you've got to bat it away with appreciation because I don't feel like a legend for a moment.

"It's all other people that make us look good."

The 52-year-old, who will reprise his role as M in the next James Bond film Spectre, said he will "find some quiet, out-of-the-way place" for his new gong.

He also revealed his dream role, saying: "I would have liked to be in the Godfather trilogy. That wouldn't have been very good casting."

Christopher Nolan's outer space adventure Interstellar was the big winner of the night, as it picked up three prizes including best film.

The British filmmaker was also named best director, and took home the Inspiration award.

Andy Serkis ended Eddie Redmayne's clean sweep of award wins when he was voted best actor for his motion-capture performance in Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes.

"I'm really thrilled and excited because finally, performance capture is respected across the board and considered on par as any other actor," Serkis said.

Paddington was voted best comedy. Peter Capaldi, who voiced Mr Curry in Paddington, said the film spoke to people because "it has heart".

Kingsman: The Secret Service, directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring Colin Firth, Mark Strong and Sir Michael Caine, won best British film.

The Imitation Game starring, Cumberbatch as wartime codebreaker Alan Turing, was named best thriller.