THIS year's Oscars saw a host of British talent pick up top awards - but it wasn't to be for two graduates from the University of Hertfordshire. While Kate Winslet and Slumdog Millionaire were the big winners on the night, taking best actress and best picture

THIS year's Oscars saw a host of British talent pick up top awards - but it wasn't to be for two graduates from the University of Hertfordshire.

While Kate Winslet and Slumdog Millionaire were the big winners on the night, taking best actress and best picture respectively, it was a curious case of better luck next time for Scott Cooper.

The former Hatfield student, who graduated with a first class honours in digital animation in 2005, worked in the visual effects department on the blockbuster Batman movie The Dark Knight.

The film was up for eight awards, winning two, including a posthumous best supporting actor award for Heath Ledger.

But the film lost out in the visual effects category, where Scott worked as a cloth technician - to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt.

Another former Hertfordshire student also worked on The Dark Knight. Nick Bonathan was part of the special effects team that created Batman's motorcycle, the Batpod. Mr Bonathan has previously worked on the BAFTA nominated James Bond film Quantum of Solace.