FRANZ Ferdinand, already Mercury Music Prize winners, lead the nominations for this year's Brit Awards.

The Glasgow band, who will perform at the awards ceremony, are nominated in five categories: best British group, best British album, best British breakthrough act, best British rock act and best British live act.

Natasha Bedingfield, Jamelia and Keane have three nominations apiece, as do The Streets, Snow Patrol and Kasabian, while rock band Muse have four.

Band Aid 20's Do They Know It's Christmas? will contest best British single of 2004 against ThankYou by Jamelia, Take Me To The Clouds Above by LMC vs U2, Lola's Theme by Shapeshifters and Your Game by Will Young.

The list includes a host of acts virtually unheard of a year ago, reflecting the fact 2004 has been "the most scintillating period for breakthrough acts from the UK in recent memory", according to the organisers.

Franz Ferdinand's rivals for best British group are Kasabian, Keane, Muse and Snow Patrol.

In the album category, their selftitled album faces competition from Final Straw by Snow Patrol, the Glasgow-based band, Keane's Hopes and Fears, A Grand Don't Come For Free by The Streets, and Absolution by Muse.

The awards, now in their 25th year, will be held at Earls Court, London, on February 9 and hosted by Chris Evans.

In the best British female category, Bedingfield goes head to head with Jamelia, while Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse and PJ Harvey complete the nominee list. Best British male will go to either Jamie Cullum, Lemar, Morrissey, The Streets orWill Young.

There is no place for Robbie Williams, but he is in the running for the category, Best Song of Last 25 Years with Angels.

The other four finalists for that award - voted by Radio 2 listeners from a list drawn up by industry experts - are Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division, Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush, We Are The Champions by Queen, and Leave Right Now by Will Young.

Joss Stone is an unlikely nominee for best British urban act, up against Dizzee Rascal, Jamelia, Lemar and The Streets.

Best pop act will go to either Avril Lavigne, Girls Aloud, Bedingfield, McFly orWestlife.

The Scissor Sisters are nominated for best international album after their debut became the best-selling one of 2004.

Brian Wilson, who released his Smile album in 2004 after a 37-yearwait, is nominated for best international male, competing with Kanye West, Usher, Eminem and Tom Waits.

Sir Bob Geldof will be honoured for outstanding contribution to music.