Linford Christie’s niece is the first black Miss England

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.

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.