American pop star Katy Perry was mistakenly handed the trophy for song of the year for I Kissed a Girl at the NRJ Music Awards in France, and had to give back the award.

The host of the gala in Cannes on Saturday night announced at the end of the show that there had been a mistake and the accolade should have been given to Barbados' Rihanna for Disturbia.

Perry did win in another category — best international album, for One of the Boys.

Britney Spears won the awards for international female artist of the year and for best video for Womanizer, while Enrique Iglesias captured top international male artist. The Pussycat Dolls won for best international group and teen favourites, the Jonas Brothers, got best international new artist.

French singer Christophe Maé won two awards — for best French song (Belle Demoiselle) and top French male artist — while Mylène Farmer was victorious in the best French album category for Point de Suture.

Coldplay's Chris Martin, Akon, Seal and Duffy performed at the gala event.

The awards are based on results of a website poll open to the public and are considered the French equivalent of the Grammy Awards.

They are sponsored by French radio station NRJ.