Coldplay scoop Ivor Novello

Coldplay were named songwriters of the year at a top music ceremony yesterday -then said they did not deserve it.

The band, whose lead singer Chris Martin is engaged to Gwyneth Paltrow, were praised for their second album, ARush of Blood To The Head.

Their prize at the Ivor Novello awards for songwriters follows their double Brits win earlier in the year.

They did not attend the ceremony and sent a message of thanks instead.

In it, Martin said: 'The Ivor Novellos mean a lot to us - even our grandparents would be impressed with us winning this. We're not sure whether we deserve it - but we'll trust your opinion.'

U2 singer Bono joked about the angst of being a songwriter as he collected a trophy.

He said: 'No one really listens to the words. They don't know how hard it is staring at a blank page, living in Ireland and it's raining, always raining. The melancholy comes from the rain.

'No, actually I sit in a big house in the South of France, paid for by my extensive back catalogue and saying this is a f***ing Beautiful Day.'

Beach Boy Brian Wilson, writer of classics-such as God Only Knows and Good Vibrations, received a standing ovation as he received a special international award.

The audience, which included Kylie Minogue and Simon Le Bon, was reminded that his band's 1966 album Pet Sounds was acclaimed for its lush arrangements and carefully constructed harmonies.