Amy Wins "Music Oscar"

Amy Winehouse won a songwriting "Oscar" today - but arrived too late to pick up her gong.

The 24-year-old's father Mitch had to go on stage to collect her Ivor Novello for Best Song Musically and Lyrically on his daughter's behalf.

Judges of the prestigious Novello put the singer's troubles behind her to award her the title for her self-penned track Love Is A Losing Game.

A message of thanks read out by Mitch Winehouse failed to mention the singer's husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, who is in jail awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Mitch told the audience, which featured names like David Gilmour and Mark Ronson: "I don't know what I'm doing up here.

"Amy unfortunately couldn't make it but she's getting better and she sends you all her love."

Last year, Amy's autobiographical track Rehab, which she wrote about her refusal to seek treatment for her drinking, won the Ivor Novello for Best Contemporary song.

Mitch said: "She's asked me to thank the Ivors for being the first to recognise her talent."