All eyes were on pop star Louise at the Southern FM Sussex Awards last night.

The singer, who went to school in Sussex, won the award for Best Female Artist of 2000.

Louise hugged fellow guest Gary Kemp, of Eighties band Spandau Ballet, before running on stage to collect her trophy from Breakfast Show DJs Danny Pike and Nicky Keig Shevlin.

Louise topped the charts earlier this year with the classic pop anthem 2 Faced, which many thought was about her old group, Eternal.

Last night she said her lyrics were about people in general, not her former band mates.

She said: "In everyday life, and in the music industry, you meet a lot of people who will stab you in the back. The song is about being thick skinned and not letting all those two faced people get you down."

The singer, who is married to Liverpool footballer Jamie Redknapp, said she was delighted to be back in Sussex.

She said: "Sussex will always have a place in my heart. It's where I am from and it is where my parents live so I spend a lot of time here. To win an award like this is really special."

More than 3,000 fans packed the award ceremony at the Brighton Centre. It collected £16,000 for fun-d 2000, which raises money young people in Sussex to take part in educational, leisure and sporting pursuits.

Among the celebrity guests were Big Brother hero Craig Phillips, Aussie comedian Mark Little, The Bill's Chris Ellison and Sky Sports presenter Helen Chamberlain.

Guests were treated to performances by Madison, The Magnets and Damage, who picked up an award for Best UK R'n'B act.

Former Spandau Ballet star Gary said it was like 'the book ending' when he scooped an award for Outstanding Contribution to Pop Music.

R'n'B singer Craig David won the Best Newcomer gong but despite deafening cheers he couldn't be there to receive it.

Craig, who has had number one hits this year with Seven Days and Fill Me In, was the only artist to walk away with two awards, picking up Most Popular Song too.

Best UK R&B act winners Damage performed three songs live and had people dancing on tables.

Fatboy Slim, voted Sussex Performer of the Year, had a good reason for not attending - wife Zoe Ball is expected their baby soon.

Best Male Artist went to Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating, who topped the charts earlier this year with solo singles Life Is A Rollercoaster and She.

Westlife won the Favourite Group category for the second year in a row.

Other winners were:

Young Person of the Year - Karen Barnes and Carly Barret
Sussex's Favourite TV Personality - Chris Ellison
Local Hero of the Year - Mike Crockford
Outstanding Contribution to Sport - the Eastbourne Eagles.