Ronnie Wood jokes over Rolling Stones album award

Ronnie Wood joined the Rolling Stones three years after Exile On Main Street was released

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has picked up a prize for the band's 1972 album Exile on Main Street - even though he did not actually play on it.

The classic Stones LP was named reissue of the year at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards in London on Wednesday.

Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash won the album of the year award, while AC/DC were named band of the year.

Canadian rock trio Rush were honoured as living legends at the event, held at the Roundhouse in Camden, north London.

"I was just with Mick [Jagger] and Charlie [Watts] this afternoon and they said to say thanks a lot - and why weren't they invited?" said Wood as he collected the reissue prize.

"And I said, 'Because you were on the album! There's no point to these awards if you were actually on it.'

"But I have played these songs for the last 30 years and it's about time that I collected," he added. "So thanks a lot!"

Wood joined the Rolling Stones in 1975, three years after the release of Exile on Main Street.

The reissued album was a UK number one in May, giving the Stones their first chart-topper in 16 years.

Slash's self-titled album was up against collections by Kiss and Iron Maiden

Prior to this, their last number one album was Voodoo Lounge in 1994.

AC/DC's Brian Johnson sent a video message from Australia for the group's band of the year accolade

"We never take any of this for granted," he told the audience. "Have a drink on us."

Guitarist Slash said his award for his eponymous solo album was "a huge honour".

His debut collection features guest vocalists, among them Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy from Motorhead and Fergie from Black Eyed Peas.

Elsewhere tributes were paid to the late heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, who died in May at the age of 67.

His widow Wendy collected the Tommy Vance inspiration award for the former Rainbow and Black Sabbath vocalist.

Saying she aimed to raise $10m for a cancer charity in Dio's name, Wendy Dio urged all men to make sure they had regular check-ups.

Former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones - winner of an outstanding contribution award - made his own tribute to the band's erstwhile drummer, the late John Bonham.

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday composer Roy Wood won the classic songwriter award

"What an honour it was to partner John Bonham in a rhythm section," said the 64-year-old.

Event of the year award went to rock band Journey in honour of their 1981 single Don't Stop Believin' going back into the UK Top 10.

The award - prompted by a cover version of the track by the cast of TV show Glee - was collected by the band's guitarist, Neil Schon.

Other honours went to Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler, rockabilly singer Imelda May and Julien Temple's Dr Feelgood documentary Oil City Confidential.

Alice Cooper and Sarah Cawood hosted the event, which featured performances by Cheap Trick, Alter Bridge and The Union.