London's South Bank was yesterday the centre of attention as stars from Hollywood and the UK gathered to attend the National Movie Awards (NMAs). The Awards, which are voted for by film lovers in the UK, were announced at a broadcast ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall.

Tom Cruise flew in accompanied by his wife Katie Holmes to accept the award for Screen Icon in person, confessing in his acceptance speech that "It's a real honour for me to be here tonight. This great city of London. This great country England. I've made several films here. I have been fortunate."

The accolade for Best Action/Thriller film went to Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes. The detective's flick, which shot largely on location in the capital, beat off stiff competition from popular titles including superhero film Kick-Ass and Tarantino's war satire Inglorious Bastards.

The success of Sherlock Holmes was followed by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which got the NMA for best Family movie and a Special Recognition Award. Accepting the award for Best Family Film, the film's stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Bonnie Wright thanked fans for their continued support of the Potter saga, of which the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth instalment. Shooting on the last two films, which will put an end to the wizard's adventures, is now taking place in the capital.

The ceremony, hosted by actor James Nesbitt and broadcast on ITV1, was attended by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Orlando Bloom, Robert Pattinson and American comedian Chris Rock.

For more information about last night's ceremony, visit the NMAs official website.