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One Direction have been named best UK/Ireland act ahead of this year's MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) in Germany next month.

The former X Factor boy band will now compete to be Europe's entry in the Worldwide Act category in Frankfurt against other winners from across the continent.

Fans now have until 30 October to vote for their favourite regional act.

The EMAs take place on 11 November and will be hosted by model Heidi Klum.

The winner of the Europe vote will then go up against acts from Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific and Africa/India/Middle East.

Louis Tomlinson from the group said: "We're so happy and incredibly honoured to have won this. Once again our amazing fans have done us proud."

One Direction are already up for two awards and won three MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) in LA last month.

The group scored the fastest-selling track by a non-US artist ever on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart last week.

Rihanna and Taylor Swift top the list of nominees this year with six and five nods respectively.

Justin Bieber and Katy Perry are close behind on four nominations each.

Online voting for winners closes on 9 November.

Taylor Swift, Muse, No Doubt, Carly Rae Jepsen, fun. and Rita Ora are confirmed to perform at the event.

MTV will announce additional EMA performers and presenters at a later date.

Last year's MTV EMAs took place in Belfast with Lady Gaga winning four awards.