Craig wins gong for 007

Daniel Craig has won Best Actor for his role as James Bond in an award voted by the public.

The Empire Awards hailed the 39-year-old star's performance to beat the likes of Sacha Baron Cohen, Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Casino Royale was also named Best Film, which is good news for Craig who he left the Baftas empty-handed in February.

Empire magazine assistant editor Ian Freer said: "I'm delighted that Empire readers have decided that Casino Royale is the best film of the year.

"We're proud that real cinema-goers have the good taste to do something neither the critics' awards or industry prizes managed to do - really get behind the reinvention of James Bond as a great British triumph."

French actress Eva Green, 26, was named Best Female Newcomer for her role as Bond's Vesper Lynd, while Superman Returns star Brandon Routh, 27, took the Best Male Newcomer gong.

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, 32, bagged the Best Actress award for Volver, pipping Oscar-winner Dame Helen Mirren, 61, for The Queen.

United 93, the harrowing story by Surrey-born director Paul Greengrass, was named Best British Film.

Meanwhile, British director Christopher Nolan took the award for Best Director for The Prestige. Pan's Labyrinth and the comedy Little Miss Sunshine also won awards.

Over 50,000 people voted for the awards organised by the film magazine.

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