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Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith both walked away with two prizes at this year's Brit Awards.

Ed scooped the night's main award, album of the year, for his record X - which was the best-selling record of 2014 in the UK.

"I was really worried about this album," he said, accepting his trophy from actor Russell Crowe, "it took a long time to make."

He added it had been a "very, very good year for British music".

Sheeran also won best British male, while Sam Smith took home best breakthrough artist and the global success award - for his album sales outside the UK.

Sam, who won four Grammys earlier this month, thanked his fans in an emotional speech.

"Since I was a little kid I dreamed of people all over the world singing my songs and although I've got a long way to go, this shows that I'm stepping in the right direction."

Paloma Faith won best British female, which was her very first Brit award.

"This has been 13 years in the making," she told the audience at London's O2 Arena.

Paloma's third album, A Perfect Contradiction, was the biggest-selling female record in the last year, shifting more than 725,000 copies.

American pop sensation Taylor Swift opened the show, playing her hit single Blank Space surrounded by dancers in white suits and bowler hats.

She went on to win best international female, her first award after eight years of releasing records in the UK.

The star dedicated her award to her close friend Ed Sheeran.

George Ezra, who came away with no awards on the night after being up for four prizes, performed his hit track Budapest in front of the packed crowd at London's O2 Arena.

British male solo artist - Ed Sheeran

British female solo artist - Paloma Faith

British group - Royal Blood

British breakthrough act - Sam Smith

Critics' Choice - James Bay

British single - Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk

British album of the year - 'X' by Ed Sheeran

British artist video of the year - 'You and I' by One Direction

Global success award - Sam Smith

International male solo artist - Pharrell Williams

International female solo artist - Taylor Swift

International group - Foo Fighters

British producer of the year - Paul Epworth