EUROVISION SONG CONTEST - WIN FOR SERBIA AS SCOOCH FLY THE FLAG HOME

The Eurovision song contest has been won by newcomer Serbia, while the UK entry came in at second last.

Performing to a capacity crowd in one of Finland's biggest arenas, Marija Serifovic's ballad Molitva, or Prayer, received points from a vast number of the 24 countries in the competition in a move away from the rock sounds which won last year and the expected tacky tunes which have seen the contest ridiculed across much of Europe.

"I honestly think that a new chapter has opened for Serbia and not only in music. I'm proud," said Serifovic at a press conference after the show.

However the 268 point clocked by Serbia, massively dwarfed the 19 points scored by UK entrant Scooch for their song Flying the Flag (For You).

And 12 of those points came from historic ally Malta while neighbouring Ireland awarded Britain seven points. Yet the cabin crew-themed pop group appeared to be unfazed by coming joint 22nd with France.

"To be honest, this experience has been one in a million," singer Caroline Barnes of the group told the BBC.

However Ireland, the most successful nation since the competition began in 1956, could not add to its seven wins as its entry from folk group Dervish came last overall with only five points.

Yet no one did as poorly as Britain's Jemini performed in 2003 – famously scoring "nil point".

Following last night's competition in Finland, after rockers Lordi stole the show with Hard Rock Hallelujah, next year will see the contest move to Belgrade for the first time.