Linford Christie’s niece is the first black Miss England

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Linford Christie's niece has been crowned the first black Miss England in the competition's history.

Click here to see more pictures of Miss England 2009

Rachel Christie, 20, a professional track and field athlete who is on course to compete at the London 2012 Olympics, claimed the prize at the pageant in Paddington last night.

The 20-year-old, of Kensington, who specialises in the heptathlon, was one of the bookies' favourites to win the competition. She won Miss London in May.

Miss England winner Rachel Christie

The Brunel University student and her brother James, 22, are coached by their 100m Olympic gold medallist uncle. Ms Christie has won athletics medals at major UK competitions such as the AAA and South of England championships, and trains at the stadium in Hammersmith, which is named after Linford.

Ms Christie told the competition panel at the Metropole Hilton hotel last night: "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."

Yesterday evening's event was targeted by demonstrators who gathered outside the entrance of the hotel denouncing the competition as sexist. The protesters held banners bearing slogans including "every woman is a queen" and "beauty is not skin deep".

They echoed similar demonstrations held by some student groups last year who branded the Miss University London competition "misogynist".

Ms Christie almost did not make the Miss England contest after a car crash in Acton on Friday left her with whiplash and bruised legs. She was taken to hospital, where she spent the next 24 hours recovering before rushing to be ready for the pageant.

Ms Christie, who was competing as Miss London City, beat 49 other finalists to take the title. She will go on to represent England in the next Miss World final, to be held in Johannesburg in December.

Also among the finalists last night was a soldier decorated for bravery in Iraq. Lance Corporal Kat Hodge, 22, from Tunbridge Wells, was given a commendation from her unit, the 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment for her actions during a posting in 2005 in Basra.