London - The rock group The Verve triumphed at last night's Brit Awards, voted as best British group despite strong competition from Oasis, Prodigy, Radiohead and Texas.
The Irish group U2 were voted best international group.
The Verve also took the best British album and best producer categories. The All Saints' hit Never Ever won the best single and best video categories - as the Spice Girls did a year ago.
But All Saints missed out in the best British newcomer category to the surprise winners Stereophonics, a Welsh band.
Finley Quaye won the award for the best male solo artist, with the award for the best female solo artist going to Shola Ama.
A special award - the Freddie Mercury Award for extraordinary charity work - was made to Sir Elton John, whose moving funeral tribute to Princess Diana, Candle in the Wind, has sold 33 million copies to become the world's top-selling single. The proceeds from the single go to Princess Diana charities.
Fleetwood Mac, who have sold 70 million albums over the past 30 years, were given an award for their outstanding contribution to music.
The best international male singer was Jon Bon Jovi. Iceland's Bjork was chosen as best international female singer.
The Spice Girls, who have conquered the charts around the world, were given a special award in recognition of their multi-million album sales.
One of the guests at the music industry's awards ceremony was Britain's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr John Prescott, who was doused with a bucket of water by a member of a controversial anarchist band. Danbert Nobacon, from the Leeds band Chumbawamba, picked up an ice bucket and threw it over Mr Prescott.
The musician was led away by security guards and ejected from the London Docklands Arena, where the ceremony was held. The soaked Mr Prescott was comforted by the Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.