Ex-Olympic sprint champ Linford Christie's niece becomes first black Miss England

London, July 21 (ANI): British sprinter Linford Christie's niece, Rachel, has become the first black woman to be crowned Miss England.

The 20-year-old won the title in the event hosted at Metropole Hilton Hotel in Central London, despite being injured in a car crash just few days before the event.

She had suffered whiplash, bruising and spent a night in hospital before competing in the national beauty pageant.

After lifting the trophy, she is now set to follow in the footsteps of her Olympic gold medallist uncle by representing Britain in heptathlon at the 2012 Olympics.

"My ambition in life is to win gold in the 2012 Olympics. I want to be successful in whatever I choose to do in life," the Sun quoted her as telling organisers in Kensington, West London.

However, there were protests against the event that glorifies exceptional women.

Some held banners with slogans "every woman is a queen" and "beauty is not skin deep," outside the hotel where the event took place. (ANI)