BARACK OBAMA - OBAMA REIGNS AT BRITISH BOOK AWARDS

OBAMA REIGNS AT BRITISH BOOK AWARDS

Barack Obama has scooped one of the top accolades at the British book awards for memoir Dreams From My Father.

The account of the United States president's memories of his Kenyan father and an exploration of his African-American heritage, first published in 1995, was named biography of the year.

President Obama, who was not able to collect the award in person having left London on Friday for Strasbourg, was nominated against Paul O'Grady, Julie Walters and Dawn French.

But the president missed out on the author of the year award to Man Booker winner Aravind Adiga, who saw his The White Tiger come out on top over The Audacity of Hope.

At last night's London awards, hosts Richard and Judy presented Michael Palin with an award for outstanding achievement, while Kate Atkinson won the best read award for When Will There Be Good News and Tom Rob Smith was named best newcomer for Child 44.