PJ Harvey wins Mercury Prize

Polly Harvey has become the first artist to win two Mercury Prizes. At a ceremony in London's Grosvenor Hotel last night, it was announced that Harvey's Let England Shake album had fended off competition from the likes of Adele, Elbow and James Blake.

Hosted by Jools Holland, it was the first ceremony in which every nominee was scheduled to perform, though Adele abstained due to illness.

Polly Harvey last picked up the gong for 2001's Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. That particular ceremony was overshadowed by the sad events of 9/11, which Harvey herself witnessed.

Upon accepting her award and £20,000 cash prize last night, Harvey said:

"It's nice to actually be here. I was in in Washington DC watching The Pentagon burning from my hotel window, so it's good to be here. So much has happened since then. This album took me a long time write. It was very important to me, I wanted to make something that was meaningful not just for myself but for other people, hopefully to make something that would last."

Polly Harvey last picked up the gong for 2001's Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.

The shortlist in full:
Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
Elbow - A Rocket Boys!
James Blake - James Blake

Katy B - On A Mission
Metronomy - The English Riviera

Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

Gwilym Simcock - Good Days At Schloss Elmau

Everything Everything - Man Alive

Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine

Adele - 21