The US singer rounded off a successful 12 months by winning Best Song Musically and Lyrically, as well as the sales-based International Hit Of The Year and Best Selling UK Single prizes at the ceremony in London.

The BBC's Karen Bowerman reports from the awards

Believe sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK, making it the biggest-selling single by a female artist, beating the record set by Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You.

It spent seven weeks at number one - the longest since the Spice Girls' Wannabe in 1996.

The single's success was a welcome boost to her career - which first started in the UK when I Got You Babe was a hit for Sonny and Cher in 1965.

Believe was written by Brian Higgins, Stuart McLennan, Paul Barry, Steve Torch, Matt Gray and Tim Powell.

Robbie Williams: Overwhelmed by success

Former Take That heart-throb Robbie Williams also added to his recent haul of trophies.

He was named songwriter of the year along with his co-writer Guy Chambers, and his hit Angels was named the Most Performed Work.

Collecting his songwriter of the year prize, he said: "When I first went solo I said I wanted to be up there with George Michael and Oasis and sell as many records as them.

"I'm certainly enjoying the best part of my life at the moment, I'm really overwhelmed by this award."

Williams won three Brit Awards earlier this year.

Sundays success - 10 years on

There was long-overdue recognition for indie band The Sundays. Harriet Wheeler and Dave Gavurin wrote the gentle Here's Where The Story Ends 10 years ago, and only achieved limited success with it.

But a new version of it by dance act Tin Tin Out hit the top ten in 1998 - and it won Best Contemporary Song.

Wheeler and Gavurin were not at the Grosvenor House Hotel for the ceremony.

The Ivors Dance Award was won by Mouse T vs Hot N Juicy for Horny - written by Mousse T and Errol Rennalls.

Meanwhile, Burt Bacharach's songwriting partner Hal David won a special international award, and veteran rock star Rod Stewart won the Lifetime Achievement award.

Depeche Mode's Martin Gore won an international achievement award, and the members of Jamiroquai were given the Outstanding Song Collection Prize.

The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde won the Outstanding Contribution To British Music Award.