Classic Rock nod for Spinal Tap

It is 25 years since the release of This Is Spinal Tap

Spoof rock band Spinal Tap will compete against heavy metal giants AC/DC for a spot in Classic Rock magazine's Rock Roll of Honour.

The band, who formed for the 1984 film parody This Is Spinal Tap, are up for the event of the year award for their comeback album Back from the Dead.

AC/DC,nominated in the same category, are also shortlisted a further two times, for band and album of the year.

Iron Maiden also have three nods for the 2 November awards in London.

The band, fronted by Bruce Dickinson, join Spinal Tap and AC/DC in the event of the year category, and feature in the band and film of the year categories.

When people come to our shows, they say, 'why are we here again, where did we leave the car'? Nigel Tufnel

In the latter category, the band's documentary, Iron Maiden: Flight 666, competes against works including Rolling Stones concert documentary Shine a Light.

Competition for Iron Maiden and AC/DC in the best band category comes from Kings of Leon, Faith No More and Metallica.

Spinal Tap announced the nominations at an event in London on Thursday.

They said after they had "no idea" they were also up for an award.

Asked how it felt to be up against other major rock bands, David St Hubbins - played by actor Michael McKean - said: "You mean the people who are actually going to win?"

The band will play at Glastonbury this weekend and will go on a one-date "world tour" at London's Wembley Arena on June 30.

Nigel Tufnel, played by Christopher Guest, said: "When people come to our shows, they say, 'why are we here again, where did we leave the car'?

"That's what it's about - that, and going deaf."