Coldplay won two Grammy Awards in the US in February

They were given the honour at the Ivor Novello Awards - the ceremony for songwriters rather than singers - in London on Thursday.

In other categories, David Gray beat Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher to win best song for his tune The Other Side.

Career achievement honours also went to U2, Bryan Ferry, UB40 and The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson.

Coldplay have enjoyed international success with their second album, A Rush of Blood To the Head.

As well as spawning three UK top 10 singles, the album has sold more than one million copies in the US and won two Grammy awards.

The band were not at the event but comedian Al Murray read an acceptance speech on their behalf.

Hot act

"The Ivor Novellos mean a lot to us and even our grandparents would be impressed with us winning this.

"We're not sure whether we deserve this - but we'll trust your opinions and say thank you very much."

IVOR NOVELLO MAIN WINNERS Songwriters of the year - Coldplay Best song - The Other Side, David Gray Best contemporary song - Weak Become Heroes, The Streets Best international hit - Complicated, Avril Lavigne Dance award - Lazy, X-Press 2 featuring David Byrne International achievement - UB40 Outstanding contribution to British music - Bryan Ferry Outstanding song collection - U2 (above) Special international award - Brian Wilson

But Coldplay lost out to hip-hop artist The Streets in the category for best contemporary song.

The Streets were one of the hottest acts of 2002 and their track Weak Become Heroes beat Coldplay's In My Place.

Ms Dynamite's debut hit It Takes More was also nominated.

The international hit of the year was Complicated by 18-year-old Canadian singer Avril Lavigne.

She beat off competition from Robbie Williams' Feel and U2's Electrical Storm.

The dance award went to X-Press 2, who had a massive hit with Lazy, featuring David Byrne on vocals, last summer.

The best-selling UK single of 2002 was Pop Idol winner Will Young's Anything is Possible, while the most-performed work was Liberty X's Just A Little, it was announced.

Film soundtrack

TV show Feltham Sings, a musical documentary featuring real prison inmates, picked up the prize for best original music for television.

In the film category, the soundtrack to Michael Caine's The Quiet American - composed by Craig Armstrong - was triumphant.

The classical award went to Boots Of Lead, composed by Simon Holt and conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.

U2 were given a special honour for their outstanding song collection, while former Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry was rewarded for his outstanding contribution to British music.

Brian Wilson was given a special international award and UB40 were honoured for their international achievement. Wilson said: "I make music so that people who hear it will be covered in love.

"When I come to England that's exactly how I feel. England is my spiritual home - I've felt that way since you welcomed Pet Sounds over here in 1966.