(29 May 1997) English/Nat

The Spice Girls took Britain's prestigious Ivor Novello music awards by storm on Thursday - even though they were an hour late and stayed for only 40 minutes.

Britain's chart topping all-girl group won the prizes for International Hit of the Year and Best-Selling British Single in the UK awards.

The all-girl group were at the ceremony - together with longer-established stars such as George Michael and Sting.

Other nominations included the groups Oasis, Lighthouse Family, Manic Street Preachers and Queen.

The big names in Britpop were gathered at the Grosvenor House Hotel in a sunny London on Thursday for the Ivor Novello awards ceremony.

George Michael attended the ceremony in the running for the international hit of the year award.

Rolling Stone Bill Wyman was also there, along with Elvis Costello, who was on hand to give his opinion of such glitzy events.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Q: Tell us what's it like to be here at another awards ceremony?
A: I hardly ever go to them so it's good, it's good fun to be here. And it's always a good day you see a broad range of songwriters here from the newest to the mightily young like me"
Q. Speaking of the young the Spice Girls are here.
A: Are they? Oh good!"
SUPER CAPTION: Elvis Costello, Musician

He later won the award for Outstanding Contribution to British music.

Brian May, former member of rock band Queen was there with his wife, actress Anita Dobson.

His song 'Too Much Love Will Kill You' won an award for best song musically and lyrically.

The Spice Girls and George Michael were pitted against each other in the awards for popular songwriting.

The Spice Girls achieved a double triumph, beating Michael to win the best selling single and best international hit awards.

As piquant as their name suggests, the Spice Girls burst onto the music scene last July when their first single 'Wannabe' shot straight to the top of the charts in Britain - the first debut single by an all-women group to do so.

'Wannabe' has since topped the charts in 30 countries.

They were at the awards ceremony to collect their prize - albeit one hour late.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This a very special award to us and it means a lot to be recognised for our writing, Zig- a-Zig-ahh."
SUPER CAPTION: Melanie C, Sporty Spice

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"All I can say is it's a great thing to be winning here, and on a great date, it's my birthday, I'm 22 and all that, and a big thank you to Matt and Biff because they're cool man."
SUPER CAPTION: Melanie B, Scary Spice

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I just want to say a great big thank you to Windswept Pacific our record publishers and to all of our fans out there who have made it possible for us to stand up here today, thank you."
SUPER CAPTION: Victoria, Posh Spice

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'd like to say a big thank you to everybody who's helped us. I'd like to thank the girls. I'd like to thank Paul and Andy and to an excellent manager Simon Fuller."
SUPER CAPTION: Emma, Baby Spice

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think it's absolutely brilliant that pop music, British pop music is finally being recognised. Also I'm very proud to be a woman and I'm very proud to be British. And as you know, it's Melanie B's birthday. Now I'm not going to make you do the Mexican wave. What I am going to do is ask you to join with me and sing a Happy Birthday to my friend Melanie B."
SUPER CAPTION: Geri, Sexy Spice

This is just the latest chapter in an amazing success story since the outspoken girl- group burst onto the music scene in July last year.



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