Oscar boost for Imelda

Imelda Staunton's hopes of Oscar glory came a step closer yesterday when she won another major award for her role as a backstreet abortionist in the movie Vera Drake.

The 49-year-old British mother of one shared the U.S. National Society of Film Critics' Best Actress award with Hilary Swank.

Hollywood insiders said this made her a virtual certainty to be nominated for an Academy Award later this month.