Alt-J have won the 2012 Mercury Music Prize for their debut album An Awesome Wave.

The band were named as bookies' favourites earlier in the day, and beat off competition from other tipped artists, including Jessie Ware and Richard Hawley.

They were awarded the honour by host Lauren Laverne, along with a cheque for £20,000, at tonight's ceremony at the Roundhouse in London, where all 12 shortlisted acts - also including The Maccabees, Roller Trio, Django Django, Field Music, Michael Kiwanuka, Ben Howard, Sam Lee, Lianne La Havas and Plan B - performed.