Britney and Backstreet Boys share glory

The Backstreet Boys accept the Album of the Year award

Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys were the big winners at the Billboard Music Awards, each scooping four awards.

Winner: Britney Spears picks up one of four awards

Teenage sensation Spears won female artist of the year, new artist of the year, female hot 100 singles artist, and female albums artist.

Her debut album Baby One More Time, which has sold more than seven million copies in the US, has turned the 18-year-old from a children's TV star into one of the year's biggest pop successes.

Heart-throbs the Backstreet Boys were named artists of the year, artist duo/group, album of the year and album artists.

Country stars the Dixie Chicks weren't far behind - they picked up three awards during the ceremony at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, including country artist of the year, country album artist and country artist duo/group.

Artist of the Decade: Mariah Carey accepts her award

Singer Mariah Carey was honoured as artist of the decade. She said: "I feel like I'm just getting started. I'm so happy to be finally free to be who I am."

Latin pop sensation Ricky Martin received the male artist of the year prize and the Male Hot 100 singles artist awards, R Kelly picked up the R&B artist of the year award and Jay-Z was named rap artist of the year.

Juvenile's 400 Degreez was named top R&B album, Maxwell's Fortunate was the best R&B single, while DMX won the R&B album artist award.

JT Money/Sole's Who Dat was top rap single, Lit's My Own Worst Enemy was named best modern rock rack and Angel by Sarah McLachlan won the adult contemporary track title.

Celine Dion performs during the Las Vegas show

The Offspring picked up modern rock artist award, while Creed were named top rock artist and their song One was best rock track.

Rock veterans Aerosmith captured the artist achievement award and country legend Emmylou Harris received the annual Century Award.

Performers at the ceremony included Metallica, backed by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, actress-turned-singer Jennifer Lopez, superstar Celine Dion and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Billboard Music Awards are determined by the magazine's year-end charts, which are based on a combination of record sales and radio airplay.