Sheffield-based band Arctic Monkeys have won the Nationwide Mercury Prize for their debut album 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'.
The band, who built up a massive fanbase via the Internet, were favourites to claim the £20,000 prize at last night's ceremony in London.
Their debut album became the fastest-selling debut in chart history when it sold more than 360,000 copies during the first week of sales.
Speaking after winning the prize, the band claimed that fellow nominee Richard Hawley should have won the award. "Somebody call 999. Richard Hawley's been robbed," they joked.
Lead singer Alex Turner later said: "We deserved it because we had the best record."
Previous winners of the prize include Antony and The Johnsons, Primal Scream, Suede, Pulp and Franz Ferdinand.
