Christie niece wins beauty heat

Rachel Christie has already been crowned Miss London City

Athlete Linford Christie's 20-year-old niece, who hopes to compete in London's 2012 Olympics, has become a finalist in the Miss England contest.

Rachel Christie, from West Kensington, west London, competes in heptathlons.

"My ambition in life is to become a successful woman in whatever it is I choose to do," she said.

She was crowned Miss London City in the contest, and will compete with 49 other Miss England finalists to win a place in December's Miss World competition.

Miss England director Angie Beasley said: "We have never had an athlete compete with us before."

She added: "The girls now have to be fit and talented as well as being like a model.

"It is not just about what you look like any more."

When she was eight, Miss Christie's father Russell, the brother of former Olympic champion Linford, was stabbed to death.