Miss Birmingham crowned

Psychology graduate Rachael Barker has been crowned as the new Miss Birmingham.

She was chosen from 24 finalists during a glittering ceremony at a packed out Crescent Theatre on Sunday, May 5.

The 24-year-old University of Birmingham graduate, who lives in Selly Oak, wowed the judges during four rounds on the catwalk, including with her dazzling dress made of CDs and DVDs in the final 'eco wear' round.

Rachael, who works as a healthy eating coordinator with schoolchildren across Dudley, will now compete in the prestigious Miss England finals taking place next month in Torquay. She obtained a degree in Psychology from the University of Birmingham in 2011, before going on to achieve a Masters with Distinction in Health Psychology from Coventry University in 2012. She was presented with the Miss Birmingham crown live on stage by the 2012 winner Kris'ina Jagpal.

Rachael said she was now looking forward to becoming a "role model" for Birmingham.

She said: "When they read my name and number out it was a bit of a blur and it was only when all the other girls turned round and looked at me that I realised I'd won.

"You try to imagine what you would do if you win but that all goes out of the window, I couldn't believe it."

She first entered the competition in 2009 shortly after moving to Birmingham from Evesham in Worcestershire, winning a special Miss Cancer Research title for her charity efforts. She said she decided to have another go at the competition this year as it was the last year she would be eligible.