The xx win the 2010 Mercury Music Prize

Long time favourites The xx have beaten Villagers to the 2010 Mercury Music Prize.

The band, whose debut, XX, was tipped to win until a late surge in betting for Paul Weller's Wake Up The Nation over the weekend, also held off competition from the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Wild Beasts to win the award.

Despite the loss, Conor O'Brien and his Villagers have had a great year which saw Becoming A Jackal reach the top of the Irish charts on top of widespread critical acclaim.

The full shortlist was:

Biffy Clyro – Only Revolutions
Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea
Dizzee Rascal – Tongue N’ Cheek
Kit Downes Trio – Golden
Foals – Total Life Forever
I Am Kloot – Sky At Night
Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can
Mumford And Sons – Sigh No More
Paul Weller – Wake Up The Nation
Villagers – Becoming A Jackal
Wild Beasts – Two Dancers
The XX – XX