St Albans woman Philomena Lee was at the Baftas last night to see the film based on her life win an award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

It tells the tale of her search for her son, who she was forced to give up for adoption by nuns in Ireland.

She teamed up with journalist Martin Sixsmith to find him and he wrote about their journey in book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee.

Actor Steve Coogan heard about the story and paired up with Jeff Pope to turn it into a film script.

Coogan starred as Sixsmith in the film alongside Dame Judi Dench as Philomena.

Accepting his award last night he praised the "real Philomena Lee".

He said: "Her story has been told and her story finished in the Vatican. She has been heard but there are 60,000 other women who have yet to trace their children, and their story isn't over."

The movie missed out on two other Baftas at the Royal Opera House, Best Actress, which went to Cate Blanchett and Outstanding British Film, which went to Gravity.

Steve McQueen's epic 12 Years a Slave, starring Forest Gate born Chiwetel Ejiofor, won the coveted Best Film honour.

Philomena will have another chance for glory as it has been nominated for four Oscars, including best picture. The ceremony will be held on March 2.