Beyonce and Taylor Swift lead Grammy nominations

The R’n’B singer Beyonce and teen country sensation Taylor Swift are set to go head to head yet again - this time at the 52nd Grammy Awards. The two singers lead the nominations and will be up against each other in the top categories of best album, record and song, along with New York pop provocateur Lady Gaga.

Beyonce received 10 nominations including album of the year for her I am... Sasha Fierce double CD and record of the year for her single Halo. Meanwhile Swift, the 19-year-old country star whose album Fearless is the top-selling album of 2009 to date, received eight nominations. Lady Gaga earned five.

Last night Swift called her scoop of eight nominations "the ultimate honor”. She added: “The last couple of months has been a non-stop dream come true."

Meanwhile Kanye West - who famously interrupted Swift's speech at the MTV video music awards in September when she won best video over Beyonce - will also be at the Grammys. West earned six nominations, although he appeared in none of the more prestigious categories. R'n'B singer Maxwell also received six nominations while rapper Jay-Z got five.

The Black Eyes Peas were the most nominated band, with six nods including best album for The E.N.D. and best record for I Gotta Feeling.

Nominees for the major awards were announced during a televised concert in Los Angeles, hosted by rap star LL Cool J. Winners will be announced at Los Angeles' Staples Center on January 31.

It was a disappointing night for British artists, who have figured prominently in the top awards categories in recent years. Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood were one of the few UK acts nominated for a key award, earning a best rock album nod for their live concert at Madison Square Garden, in New York. The Tings Tings are up for best new act and Coldplay are nominated for best video. ·