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Rachel ChristieAthlete Rachel Christie has been crowned the first black Miss England in the competition's history. Her uncle is British Olympic gold medalist Linford Christie, the most decorated British athlete.

Rachel Christie, 20, who is on course to appear at the London 2012 Olympics, beat the competition to claim the prestigious prize at the event in central London.

Londoner Ms Christie, who specialises in the heptathlon, was one of the bookies' favourites to win the competition and will now compete for the Miss World crown in South Africa later this year.

She has won medals at major UK race meets such as the AAA and South of England championships, and trains at the stadium in Hammersmith, west London, named after her uncle Linford.

Before winning Ms Christie - who was competing as Miss London City - told event organisers: "My ambition in life is to compete and win gold in the 2012 Olympics.

"I would also love to do well in Miss England, I want to be successful in whatever I choose to do in life."



Katrina Hodge, a 21-year-old soldier decorated for her bravery in Iraq, came second in the public vote.

According to the pageant's Web site, "the girls are talented, healthy and well-educated and are all vying for the privilege of representing England at the Miss World contest in South Africa later in the year."

"And before you ask... there are no size zeros in this bunch either! All the girls take an avid interest in sport and dance, so healthy eating plays a major part in their lives ... you won't find them pushing a side salad round the plate," pageant spokesperson Dee Carpenter said.

Though it boasted an entry list that "looks like a veritable roll call of stunning young women from all backgrounds and ethnicity, representing a truly multicultural England," the pageant was marred by spectators who gathered outside the entrance of Metropole Hilton Hotel and denounced the competition as sexist.

Protesters held banners bearing signs that read "every woman is a queen" and "beauty is not skin deep." The protest echoed similar demonstrations held last year when the Miss University London competition was branded "misogynist" by some student groups.

"This is absolutely fantastic," singer and fashion designer Mica Paris told the website Black Voices. "Thank God! This sends a message to the media in Britain that black is beautiful too."

"It's incredible to see such a strong, ambitious and inspirational black woman winning the Miss England crown," the Pride magazine's fashion and beauty editor, Shevelle Rhule, added. "She is a great role model to young teens and proves that beauty comes in all forms and that includes black."