CANTERBURY could have plenty to cheer about at Sunday's Oscar awards ceremony.

Two of the five films nominated for best motion picture have strong city connections.

They are The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, which stars St Edmund's School former pupil Orlando Bloom and In The Bedroom, starring former Kent University student Tom Wilkinson.

Mr Wilkinson, who returned to Canterbury last year to receive an honorary degree, is also nominated alongside Hollywood superstars Russell Crowe, Sean Penn, Will Smith and Denzel Washington as best leading actor.

And Mr Bloom is among the stars in Ridley's Scott's acclaimed war drama, Black Hawk Down, which is nominated for an Oscar in four categories, including achievement in directing.

Both actors have been in America all week preparing themselves for what could be the biggest night of their professional lives.