LONDON - THREE people were injured in ugly scenes at a British music awards ceremony, with one person seriously hurt, police said on Sunday.

Two others sustained minor injuries at the sixth annual Urban Music Awards at the O2 entertainment complex in southeast London on Saturday night. One person has been arrested.

'We were called on the 15th to a disturbance at the O2 Arena site,' a spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police told wires agencies.

'We found three men suffering injuries. Two are not serious injuries, the other one is. They appeared to be stab or slash victims. There has been one arrest.'

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said the three casualties had been treated at the scene and taken to hospitals.

Police sources indicated that the most serious casualty may have been stabbed and the other two might have been hit by flying glass.

The show was being held in the indigO2, a 2,350-capacity venue inside the O2 former Millennium Dome landmark.

Leona Lewis, Dizzee Rascal, Duffy and Estelle were among the performers nominated for awards.

Soul singer Mica Paris was to be presented with a lifetime achievement award.

Andre Nevling, 24, said a woman sat at the same table as himself was 'covered' in blood.

'Obviously the guy who got stabbed must have run straight past her and she's pretty shaken up,' he said.

'I saw blood all over the floor and then I was like, 'Jesus you're covered in it',' he said.

Another eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'I didn't see what happened but there were champagne bottles flying and I hid under the table.'

Natalie Williams, 32, said: 'It's a huge shame that a small group of people have ruined everything for everyone.' -- AFP