Keira 'arrives' in Hollywood

They are Britain's two brightest young female movie stars. And, arm-in-arm, they took centre stage at a Hollywood awards ceremony.

For 31-year-old Kate Beckinsale it has already been a memorable year with leading roles in the films Van Helsing and the eagerly-anticipated The Aviator.

But it was 19-year-old Keira Knightley who was lauded last night, when her year of astonishing success was recognised with the award of "breakthrough actress" from the Hollywood Film Festival.

Only two years ago Knightley was an unknown Teddington teenager. Since her big-screen appearance in 2002's Bend It Like Beckham her career has gone into orbit.

Last month she was voted the sexiest movie star of all time, in an Empire magazine poll, outshining legendary Hollywood beauties such as Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn.

This year she played Guinevere in King Arthur, and will soon be seen as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride And Prejudice and as a bounty hunter in Domino. Next year she stars with Johnny Depp in a sequel to their hit Pirates Of The Caribbean.