VETERAN indie rocker Paul Weller will battle it out with rapper Dizzee Rascal and songstress Corinne Bailey Rae among others for this year’s Mercury Music Prize, it emerged today.

Also in the running are hotly tipped The xx - whose music provided the theme for the BBC’s election coverage - and 40-something Mancunian trio I Am Kloot.

They are among 12 acts battling for the respected award, officially called the Barclaycard Mercury Prize, which rewards the outstanding album of the year.

Dizzee, whose career has soared in recent years, first won the Mercury with debut release Boy In Da Corner in 2003.

The latest nomination for Tongue N’ Cheek is his third in only four albums, as he was also listed in 2007 for Maths + English.

Weller has only once been nominated for the Mercury since its 1992 launch. His second solo release, Wild Wood, was shortlisted in 1994, losing out to M People’s Elegant Slumming on the night.

Also finding a repeat inclusion is Laura Marling, whose I Speak Because I Can follows her 2008 debut Alas, I Cannot Swim on to the shortlist.

As well as a �20,000 prize, the award can be an invaluable method of raising awareness for shortlisted acts and many see a huge sales boost.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Park Hotel in September.

The shortlist is:-

- I Am Kloot - Sky At Night

- Foals - Total Life Forever

- Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can

- The xx - xx

- Dizzee Rascal - Tongue N’ Cheek

- Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea

- Villagers - Becoming A Jackal

- Wild Beasts - Two Dancers

- Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions

- Kit Downes Trio - Golden

- Paul Weller - Wake Up The Nation

- Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More