Rock groups Coldplay and Oasis have shared the major prizes at this year's NME Awards in London, winning two each.

Oasis, who narrowly missed out on the UK number one spot on Sunday, beat Coldplay to the titles of best UK band and artist of the year.

MAIN NME AWARD WINNERS

Album of the Year: Coldplay (above) Best UK band: Oasis Best international band: The Hives Artist of the year: Oasis Best LP: Coldplay Best new band: The Libertines Godlike genius: The Clash

Click here to see a full list of winners

But Coldplay triumphed in the best album category, for last year's A Rush of Blood to the Head, which was also named album of the year by NME writers.

The annual NME Awards - formerly known as the Brats - are handed out by the New Musical Express magazine and have more of an alternative focus than the forthcoming Brit Awards.

The magazine gave its Godlike genius award to the Clash, whose singer Joe Strummer died in December. The rest of the band were at the ceremony to receive the honour.

But absent was Ozzy Osbourne's daughter Kelly, who was due to perform but pulled out because of the risk of terrorist attacks.

Among the other winners were UK indie newcomers The Libertines, known for their rock 'n' roll excesses, who were named best new band.

Swedish garage rock act The Hives were named best international band, while US singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, who has enjoyed enormous cult success with his latest solo album Gold, won best solo artist.

New Zealand rockers The Datsuns won best live band and Australian group The Vines - who had six nominations going into the ceremony - only went home with the prize for best single, for their UK top 30 hit Get Free.

Sexiest stars

The 27-strong Texan group Polyphonic Spree were named winners of the award for innovation, while The Osbournes was named best TV show.

In the less serious categories, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin was named sexiest man and Canadian teen singer Avril Lavigne sexiest woman.

But it was not a good night for Robbie Williams, who was voted villain of the year ahead of Osama Bin Laden, as well as worst album for Escapology and worst single for Feel.

Ozzy Osbourne was named hero of the year, while Oasis star Liam Gallagher won the prize for best haircut.