Klaxons beat Amy Winehouse to Nationwide Mercury Music Prize

Klaxons have won the 2007 Nationwide Mercury Music Prize.

’Myths Of The Near Future’ was crowned as the best album from this year’s 12-strong shortlist at the ceremony in London this evening.

The band – tearful from their surprise at winning – took the stage and the £20,000 winners cheque before delivering a chaotic thank you speech.

“This really is too much,” declared James Righton, while bandmate Jamie Reynolds added, “It was the worst two hours of our lives, sitting there not knowing if we’d won. It means so much."

He added: “Mercury is about pushing music forward and that’s what we’ve done. It's great that people have recognised that."

Righton also explained they had been motivated by last year’s winners Arctic Monkeys.

“A year ago we were in the studio making this album and we were sitting in the studio watching Arctic Monkeys win this,” he said. “We saw that and thought we have to make a new album.”

Speaking just after leaving the stage Simon Taylor explained the band were “stunned” to have won as they paid tribute to fellow nominees Bat For Lashes and Amy Winehouse.

“None of us can really comprehend what has happened this year,” concluded Righton. “We started as a joke and now here we are!”

Have your say on this year's winners, post your comments below. Meanwhile read how Amy Winehouse made her live comeback at this year's ceremony, plus we'll have more on this year's prize on NME.COM throughout the night and tomorrow, so stay tuned.

See our exclusive behind-the scenes blog from the bash now.