DAME Judi Dench is in the running for the best actress title at the Oscar awards ceremony on March 23.

York-born Dame Judi, nominated for her role as Queen Victoria in the new film Mrs Brown, said: "I was stunned.

"I was so stunned I didn't say anything and then I had a lie down. It's a huge thing to suddenly realise."

Two other British actresses - Kate Winslet and Julie Christie - have been nominated.

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