The Simpson's wins ninth Animated Emmy

Animated comedy hit The Simpson's won the best animated programme at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday - the ninth time it has been awarded the prize.

An episode of the show, entitled The Seemingly Never-Ending Story, beat a controversial episode of South Park in which The Church Of Scientology and follower Tom Cruise were mocked.

Simpson's producer Al Jean said in his acceptance speech: "This is what happens when you don't mock Scientology."

Other winners at the ceremony, which celebrates technical achievement in television, included UK/US-made drama Elizabeth I, which scooped five prizes, US Army documentary Baghdad ER, and Rome, which took home four awards each.

The Creative Arts Emmys precedes the main Emmys, which will take place in Los Angeles next week, hosted by Conan O'Brien.