Sir Paul McCartney

Classic battle for Sting and Sir Paul

Updated 09.50 Thu May 03 2007

Sting and Sir Paul McCartney will go head-to-head later in this year's Classical Brit Awards.

The pair have been nominated for the classical Album of the Year award after a change of musical direction.

The Duchess of Cornwall is due to attend the awards at the Royal Albert Hall for her first public engagement since undergoing a hysterectomy operation

Other contenders for Album of the Year include Welsh singers Katherine Jenkins and Bryn Terfel, mechanic-turned-tenor Alfie Boe and teenage violinist Nicola Benedetti.

The Duchess of Cornwall is due to attend the awards at the Royal Albert Hall for her first public engagement since undergoing a hysterectomy operation.

She is expected to present the lifetime achievement award to conductor Dr Vernon Handle.

This year's Classical Brits will be hosted by This Morning presenter Fern Britton.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.