Country girl Joss is urban queen

She grew up in a tiny Devon hamlet, yet last night 17-year-old Joss Stone was named best urban act.

The daughter of a dried fruit salesman also took the coveted best solo female trophy at the Brit Awards - widely tipped to go to r'n'b singer Jamelia. The Birmingham-born singer was nominated in three categories but left empty-handed.

Stone, who started her career with a winning performance in a BBC talent show, has earned praise as the 'White Aretha Franklin' so it was perhaps no surprise she walked away with an award normally reserved for more 'street' artists. RobbieWilliams' track Angels won the prize for the best British track of the past 25 years.

Jonathan Bown, of Smash Hits magazine, said some of the winners were 'a bit surprising'.

He added: 'This must be hugely disappointing for Jamelia. She has spent the last year building a profile as one of the UK's real female megastars.

'But despite three nominations, she's going home empty-handed, which is a real shame.'

The ceremony was hosted by Chris Evans at Earl's Court and is to be screened on ITV1 tonight. It featured performances from Natasha Bedingfield, who sang with her brother Daniel, Scissor Sisters and The Streets.

Sir Bob Geldof added a bit of rock and roll with a live backstage rant when he told Radio 1's Sara Cox he was 'bored with hanging around'.