Rock band the Klaxons have won the Nationwide Mercury Prize for the best album of the past year, beating Amy Winehouse and the Arctic Monkeys.

The "new rave" group from south London scooped the £20,000 prize for their debut Myths of the Near Future. Singer Jamie Reynolds said they deserved to beat Winehouse because she made a "retro record and we've made the most forward-thinking record". Winehouse performed at the ceremony, her first appearance for several weeks. She gave a breathtaking rendition of Love Is A Losing Game from her nominated album Back To Black - but it was not enough to win her the award.

Klaxons, who have only been together for two years, looked elated as they hugged and ran on to the stage to collect their award from Jools Holland. The Mercury Prize judges said the group took them on an "ecstatic musical adventure". Their album, which features the singles Golden Skans and It's Not Over Yet, reached number two when it was released earlier this year.

Resources: BBC