Aniston to hand out Academy Award

Aniston has starred in more than 13 films

Former Friends actress Jennifer Aniston has been invited to present an Academy Award at this year's ceremony, cementing her departure from TV.

The 36-year-old has starred in a number of films since leaving the hit sitcom, including Derailed and Rumor Has It.

It will be the first time she has been involved in the Academy Awards, which are being held on 5 March.

Other presenters already announced include Luke Wilson, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman.

Meanwhile, the first black actress to win an Academy Award, Hattie McDaniel, has been honoured on a US postage stamp.

Hattie McDaniel died in 1952

McDaniel, who died in 1952, won a best supporting actress Oscar for her role playing the maid Mammy in Gone with the Wind.

She becomes the 29th honouree in the US Postal Service's long-running Black Heritage commemorative stamp series.

Although she received some criticism for continually playing maids in films, she once said "I'd rather play a maid than be one".

She worked along with others to combat racism in the movie industry.

"This stamp is a powerful reminder of her unprecedented contribution to Hollywood and to her pioneering legacy to help make this country a better place," said James C Miller, chairman of the US Postal Service's board of governors.