Miss England 2009: Katrina Hodge takes over

L/Cpl Katrina Hodge who is an active soldier has been given leave from her duties to represent England in the Miss World competition. The 21-year-old from Tunbridge Wells, will take over from the previous Miss England.

A spokesman of Miss England said Rachel Christie wanted to concentrate on clearing her name, after her arrest over an alleged nightclub brawl. Combat Barbie as she has been nicknamed has been commended for bravery in Iraq, will take on beauty queen duties.

L/Cpl Hodge has been given leave from her duties as a soldier in the British Army, Katrina was first runner-up in the 2009 national contest and will represent England in the Miss World final in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 12 December.

Miss Christie who is the niece of former Olympic sprinter Linford Christie became involved in a dispute with another beauty queen, Miss Manchester, Sara Beverley Jones, at a Manchester nightclub earlier this week. To read more on this story go to news.bbc.co.uk.