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Jared Leto has said his band's win at last Thursday's Kerrang! Awards shows they have finally been accepted as a credible act.

30 Seconds To Mars beat off stiff competition to scoop the best single gong for 'The Kill'.

Leto's acting career has meant the group has faced a battle to be taken seriously in the industry, but he believes their problems are now in the past.

He said: "We've been working hard for a long time for people to accept the band. It's a wonderful feeling now they have."

The 35-year-old recently turned down a part in Clint Eastwood movie Flags Of Our Fathers because it clashed with the group's world tour.

Hertfordshire metal band Enter Shikari and US rock group My Chemical Romance lead the field at this year's Kerrang! awards with four nominations apiece.

Both bands are up for best single and album, while My Chemical Romance is also in the running for best video and best international band.

Enter Shikari, shortlisted for best British newcomer last year, are up for best live band and best British band.

The St Albans-based outfit said it was "great to be nominated again".

"Hopefully this time we won't have a show and can actually make the awards," said singer 'Rou' Reynolds.

This year's event will be held at the Brewery in east London on 23 August.

'Incredible year'

Chicago band Fall Out Boy have three nominations for best album, video and international band.