Jessie J and singer Ellie Goulding will battle it out in a bid to be crowned top female at the Brit Awards.

The pair are joined in the category for British female solo artist by Birdy, Laura Mvula and Laura Marling.

The nominees for the annual pop awards were announced last night in London, where the ceremony will be held on February 19.

Veteran star David Bowie is up for two awards in the wake of his recent comeback - three decades after he first won a prize at the bash.

The musician, who celebrated his 67th birthday on Wednesday, is shortlisted for the best album and best male awards.

Heading the nominations, which were announced last night at a red-carpet celebration, are new artists Bastille and Disclosure, who are each nominated for four awards.

Ellie Goulding, who will perform live at the O2 Arena event, is also nominated twice in the best single category, for the dance-pop anthem Burn and her collaboration with Scots DJ Calvin Harris, I Need Your Love.

She said the nods were a "huge honour", adding: "I will always remember how important the Brits were to me every year as a child.

"I'm so happy and grateful to be a part of it again this year.

"It has been the craziest six months of my career."

In the male solo category, Bowie will compete against Jake Bugg, James Blake, John Newman and Tom Odell.

The best album will be a battle between Bowie, with The Next Day, Bastille, Disclosure, Arctic Monkeys, for their fifth album AM, and Rudimental, for Home.

One Direction are up for two awards - best single and best group - but could actually take home the global success award.

John Grant faces Drake, Eminem, Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake for international male, while international female is between Janelle Monae, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lorde and Pink.

Arctic Monkeys and Katy Perry will also perform at the awards show.

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk