SOUTHAMPTON superstar Craig David walked off with the coveted prize for the best UK act at the glittering Mobo Awards ceremony last night.

Craig, who was last year's big winner, had been nominated for three titles at the annual event. He was unable to attend the show as he had been performing in New York. He lost out in both the best R&B artist and best album categories to Usher, who triumphed with his 8701 album at the event which honours the top music of black origin, hence Mobo.

Chart heart-throb Usher and newcomers So Solid Crew landed a pair of prizes each.

Usher, 23, who topped the UK singles chart with You Make Me Wanna in 1998, flew in from Paris for the event at London Arena. But some US winners stayed away from the event not wanting to fly in the current climate.

Lifetime achievement prizewinner, soul legend Luther Vandross, opted to stay at home as did best hip hop act Missy Elliott.

South London act So Solid Crew - who topped the charts this summer with 21 Seconds - were rewarded as best UK garage act.

They were also named best newcomers at the show last night in which 15 of the 18 winners are voted by members of the public.

Two members of the collective, Oxide and Neutrino, who have had chart success under their steam, had further good news. The promo for their track Up Middle Finger took the best video prize.

US star R Kelly, whose UK chart career stretches back nearly a decade and which reached its pinnacle with the number one I Believe I Can Fly, picked up an outstanding achievement award.

His biggest hit was rather ironically titled as he has a longstanding fear of flying and travelled to Europe on the QE2 to attend the awards. His former wife Aaliyah died in a plane crash in August.

Female trio Destiny's Child took the best single title for their chart-topper Independent Women Part 1, the theme to the hit movie Charlie's Angels.

The event is to be screened by Channel 4 on Saturday.

ALL THE WINNERS:

Best R&B act - Usher.

Best hip hop act - Missy Elliott.

Best video - Up Middle Finger by Oxide & Neutrino.

Best reggae act - Shaggy.

Best producer - Dr Dre.

Best gospel act - Mary Mary.

Best world music act - Nitin Sawhney.

Best UK garage act - So Solid Crew.

Best UK act - Craig David.

MasterCard best album - 8701 by Usher.

Best single - Independent Women Part 1 by Destiny's Child.

Best jazz act - Incognito.

Best newcomer - So Solid Crew.

Best UK radio DJ - Jigs (Choice FM).

Best UK club DJ - DJ Spoony.

Mobo unsigned award - N Jay.

Mobo outstanding achievement - R Kelly.

Mobo lifetime achievement - Luther Vandross.