Double Irish success at UK film award show

Irish actor Daniel Day-Lewis was named best actor for his role as a Texan oil prospector in 'There Will Be Blood' at the Evening Standard British Film Awards last night.

The performance has already earned him a Golden Globe and he is hotly tipped for Bafta and Oscar glory later this month.

Irish writer and director John Carney won most promising newcomer for 'Once'.

Joy Division biopic 'Control' was the surprise winner of the best film award, beating 'Atonement' and 'There Will Be Blood'. It also won best screenplay.

Helena Bonham-Carter was named best actress.

The 41-year-old took the prize for two performances – in 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street' and low-key drama 'Conversations With Other Women'.

Julie Christie, also a front-runner for Oscar success with 'Away From Her', received the Alexander Walker Special Award for outstanding contribution to film.

The newly-married star has enjoyed a career spanning five decades and including such films as 'Darling, Don’t Look Now' and 'Doctor Zhivago'.

The ceremony was held at The Ivy restaurant in central London.

'Atonement' took the prize for technical achievement in cinematography, production and costume design.

Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood received the best film score award for 'There Will Be Blood'.