The Battle three-piece picked up the prize for Best Track for comeback song Spiralling.

The single, their first taste of third album Perfect Symmetry, was downloaded more than half a million times in a week after it was offered as a free download.

The prize, sponsored by SingStar, was voted for by the readers of Q and Qthemusic.com.

Collecting the award, Keane singer Tom Chaplin quipped: "I just read the Q review of our record and ironically the only track they hated was Spiralling.

"So thank you for the readers of Q for disagreeing with the editor!"

The track, which peaked at number 23 in the charts, was up against Violet Hill by Coldplay and former number ones Mercy by Duffy, I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry and That's Not My Name by The Ting Tings.

The award has cemented Keane's triumphant comeback following Tom's well-publicised battle with drink and drugs.

The singer sought professional help in August 2006, two months after the band's second album Under The Iron Sea was released, and led to the band cancelling a number of shows and postponing a North American tour.

It is the second Q Award Tom and bandmates Tim Rice-Oxley and Richard Hughes have won during their career - Keane took home the Best Album prize in 2004 for their debut Hopes and Fears.

Perfect Symmetry is due for release on Monday October 13.