Coldplay and Duffy led the way at the Brit Awards last night with four nominations each.

The recognition caps a remarkable debut year for the Welsh singer-songwriter, whose Rockferry was the best-selling album of 2008 and moved 4.5 million copies around the world.

Duffy was nominated for best album, best single for chart-topper Mercy, best female solo artist and best breakthrough act.

Fresh from leading a British invasion of the Grammys, where they gained an impressive seven nominations, Coldplay will go head to head with Duffy at the Brits 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 do battle for best group with Girls Aloud, Radiohead, Take That and long-time indie underdogs Elbow.

After a decade and a half of relative obscurity, the Mancunian band hit the headlines in 2008 when their album The Seldom Seen Kid won the Mercury Prize.

They 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.

Duffy is up against Adele, Beth Rowley, Estelle and M.I.A. for the best female solo award. 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.

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

Music fans can vote for their favourite British single, live act and breakthrough act from last night's shortlists.