Up and Mulligan win film awards

Up is the 10th feature film made by US animation giant Pixar

Pixar's Up has been named film of the year at the Richard Attenborough Film Awards, presented annually by regional film critics across the UK.

Carey Mulligan was named best actress for An Education, getting an additional prize for being the year's rising star.

James Cameron has won the filmmaker of the year prize for Avatar, while Moon star Sam Rockwell was named best actor.

Lord Attenborough has been declared an "all-time legend" at the awards, which have borne his name since 2008.

"I offer my warmest congratulations to this admirable set of winners and I am honoured to be included amongst them," the 86-year-old director said.

'Wonderful'

Other prizes went to Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner for their screenplay for the George Clooney film Up in the Air.

In addition to the seven critics' awards, additional honours decided by an online public vote were announced at a short presentation in London.

These included a British film of the year accolade for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as voted for by viewers of The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

The sixth Harry Potter blockbuster picked up additional prizes for its music and for its use of UK locations.

Producer David Heyman said the awards were "wonderful" and thanked fans for their "loyalty, passion and support".

Rockwell, meanwhile, said working with director Duncan Jones on Moon had been "a highlight of my career in every way".