Britney Spears has proved that, despite a year of personal problems, she still reigns as the princess of pop, taking home three awards at last night's MTV Video Music Awards.

Spears, who has spent most of the year involved in a custody battle over her two children, was given accolades for Best Video, Best Female Video and Best Pop Video for 'Pieces Of Me'.

She told the crowd in Los Angeles that she would like to thank "God first and foremost for just blessing me like this".

Spears, who had never won a VMA before, also paid tribute to her children during her acceptance speeches.

Her cleans sweep was also praised by host comedian Russell Brand, who said the evening had been the "launch of a very new Britney Spears era".

"Consider this the resurrection of Britney Spears. If there was a female Christ, it's Britney,” he added.

Brand proved a controversial host throughout the night, mixing jokes with political messages urging the US to elect Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

Performances at last night's ceremony came from Christina Aguilera, Rihanna and Kanye West, who premiered a new song, 'Love Lockdown'.

(by Jason Gregory)