Sir Paul, Sting battle for Classical Brit

Sir Paul McCartney and Sting were among the artists competing for Classical Brit Awards.

The ex-Police frontman's Songs From the Labyrinth, played on the lute, and Sir Paul's Oratorio Ecce Cor Meum are both nominated for classical album of the year.

Others up for the honour at the Royal Albert Hall include Welsh singers Katherine Jenkins and Bryn Terfel, tenor Alfie Boe and young violinist Nicola Benedetti. Benedetti has the most nominations for the night with three.

In the instrumentalist category she competes with last year's winner Leif Ove Andsnes, a pianist, and English trumpeter Alison Balsom.

Benedetti also goes up against Scottish tenor Nicky Spence and English violinist Ruth Palmer for the young performer award.

The Duchess of Cornwall is also due to make her first public appearance since a hysterectomy in March.