The Arctic Monkeys have won the 2006 Mercury Music Prize for their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.

The Sheffield-based band were the overwhelming favourites to land the £20,000 prize at last night's award ceremony, held in London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

On receiving their award, lead singer Alex Turner joked: "Someone call 999 - Richard Hawley has been robbed."

He added: "Thanks very much to everyone who have helped us. We are a bit surprised because normally it doesn't go to a band that has sold as many records as we have.

"We're very, very pleased because it's just good tunes, that's what we try to do. There are no tricks. Too many people try to do too many tricks."

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not became the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history when it was released on January 23.

The album sold a whopping 360,000 copies in its first week, helped by intense Internet publicity.

The Arctic Monkeys held off competition from the likes of Muse, Editors, The Guillemots and Hot Chip to land the coveted accolade.

Other names on the shortlist were Lou Rhodes, The Guillemots, Hot Chip, Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan.

Last year's Mercury Music Prize was awarded to New York City band Antony and the Johnsons for their album, I Am A Bird Now.

Other previous winners include Dizzee Rascal, Pulp, Franz Ferdinand, M People, Suede, Ms Dynamite and Badly Drawn Boy.

The Mercury Music Prize, which is voted for by a panel of industry experts, journalists and artists, was first held back in 1992.