London has been hailed the live entertainment centre of the world as the O2 arena and the Royal Albert Hall last night picked up prestigious concert industry awards in the US.

The 20,000-capacity O2, built within the former Millennium Dome in Greenwich, was voted Best New Concert Venue and Best International Arena of the Year at the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards at LA's Nokia Theatre. The Royal Albert Hall, the 19th-century Kensington venue, was named International Theatre Of The Year.

Both venues had a hugely successful 2007, particularly the O2 which sold more than a million

tickets. Despite only opening in June, it hosted concerts by the Rolling Stones, the Spice Girls, Barbra Streisand, Prince and Led Zeppelin's "comeback gig of the decade".

Accepting its two awards, David Campbell, CEO of AEG Europe which owns and operates the O2, quoted rockers Linkin Park who recently played there. "Leave it to London to build the biggest, baddest venue in the world," he said.

The Royal Albert Hall has won praise for revamping its proms and gala calendar with edgier concerts.

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