Carrie Underwood wins country music award

Underwood won six of the Fender Stratocaster guitars given to award winners

US singer Carrie Underwood has been named artist of the year at the inaugural American Country Awards in Las Vegas.

The former American Idol winner won five further prizes at the event, the latest held to honour country stars.

Lady Antebellum won four awards at the event, among them the single of the year prize for their hit Need You Now.

Winners at the gala - which was staged at the MGM Grand Garden Arena - were decided by an online vote.

Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott celebrates winning one of the group's four awards

It is one of several celebrating this popular genre, with annual awards also handed out by the Country Music Association, Country Music Television and the Academy of Country Music (ACM).

Underwood, 27, was also named country music artist of the year at the ACM's awards in April.

In June, she picked up two more prizes at the Country Music Television Awards in Nashville.

"We wouldn't be doing anything if there weren't people out there sitting in that audience," she said.

"You guys are awesome for supporting us like you do."

Other winners included newcomer Easton Corbin, who took home three prizes including breakthrough artist of the year.

But chart-topping singer Taylor Swift was left empty-handed, despite being nominated for two awards.