BBC's Life On Mars wins Emmy

The BBC'S time-travelling Seventies cop drama, Life On Mars, has landed its first major TV award - leading the way for a British invasion at the International Emmys.

The show, which stars John Simm as a police detective who finds himself transported back 30 years, took best drama series at the ceremony in New York.

The critically acclaimed programme finds comedy in the grim chauvinism - and fashion - of Seventies Britain.

The drama aired on the BBC too late to qualify for this year's Baftas and other awards, but its Emmy success suggests that Life On Mars is now set to romp home with a clutch of honours at next year's round of ceremonies.

In all, British talent scooped six of the nine awards last night, beating competition from across the world. Ray Winstone and Gordon Ramsay proved two of Britain's most popular exports.

Winstone took best actor for his grizzled private eye in ITV1 drama series Vincent, beating fellow nominee - who played former Home Secretary David Blunkett in More4's A Very Social Secretary.

Ramsay - newly installed in his first New York restaurant - won the Emmy for best factual entertainment with Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.

Little Britain was named best comedy, and Julie Burchill's Channel 4 drama Sugar Rush won in the best young people's programming category. The Emmy for best documentary went to Hiroshima, a joint BBC and Discovery Channel project.

The event was hosted by Graham Norton, with Susan Sarandon among the stars presenting awards. The honorary Founders Award was handed to Steven Spielberg. Brits who lost out included Imelda Staunton for best actress for My Family And Other Animals.

Winners

Best Drama - Life On Mars (BBC)
Best Actor - Ray Winstone, Vincent (ITV)
Best Actress - Maryam Hassouni, Offers (Netherlands) <
Best Comedy - Little Britain (BBC)
Best Factual Entertainment - Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (Channel 4)
Best Documentary - Hiroshima (BBC)
Best Young People's Programming - Sugar Rush (Channel 4)