Iconic Manchester music stars flock to Albert Hall for first ever Northern Music Awards

Stars from Greater Manchester and beyond gathered to celebrate the Northern Music Awards last night (Tuesday April 24). Held at Manchester city centre's Albert Hall, it saw Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm and One Direction star Louis Tomlinson lead the winners.

Held in a different northern city every year, the awards aim to recognise and celebrate the established and rising musical talent across the north of England. Guest presenters from the region included This Is England actor Thomas Turgoose and former Manchester United football star Gary Neville, as well as musicians Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris from British rock band New Order.

Chisholm, known as Mel C from the 90's pop group the Spice Girls, received the special recognition award during the ceremony for her outstanding contribution to music presented by broadcaster Helen Skelton. The music star, who hails from near Liverpool, was unable to attend in person and said in her video acceptance speech: "Thank you so, so much for this award. Look at that, it's gorgeous, isn't it? I'm a little bit out of practice!"

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"I can't remember the last time I got an award, especially on my own. I can't quite believe it's the first Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards. Let's face it, all the best music comes from the North, so why has it taken so long?" I'm gutted I can't be there. It's great to be honoured by such a wonderful charity which does great work."

It comes days after the Spice Girls reunited at Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party. While singer-songwriter and music producer Tomlinson, who rose to fame as one fifth of British boy band One Direction, won artist of the