AND the winner isn't . . .Craig David. For the third year running, the Southampton singer has lost out at the Brit Awards.

The 21-year-old soul sensation from the city's Northam estate was up for two awards in last night's music industry knees-up at Earls Court, but failed to walk away with a silver statuette in either category.

For the third time, Craig was beaten in the Best British Male Solo Award by Robbie Williams, while Ms Dynamite took away the gong in the newly-created Best British Urban Act Award.

Craig, who did not attend the awards because he was receiving dental treatment, must be getting used to that losing feeling by now. Two years ago fans were outraged when he failed to win anything despite being nominated in six categories. Last year he was snubbed again in three categories.

However, Ms Dynamite did pay tribute to her fellow competitors in the Best British Urban Act category - despite refusing to sing a duet with Craig at the awards.

"Urban acts aren't just spotted in the street. We work hard and we don't usually get this kind of acknowledgment. Respect to everyone else in that category," she said.

Southampton still had something to celebrate in the awards, which are chosen by a panel of 1,000 music industry insiders. British band Coldplay, whose drummer Will Champion comes from the city, were one of the night's big winners, scooping awards in two of the most important categories - Best British Group and Best British Album.