Former champion urges feminists to abandon Miss World protest

A former beauty queen has urged feminists to abandon their plans to protest at the Miss World final tomorrow night.

Campaign groups, including London Feminist Network, Object and UK Feminista, plan to demonstrate against the contest, which is being held at Earl's Court in London.

A statement on the London Feminist Network website said: "Forty years ago feminists disrupted this sexist contest in a spectacular fashion, with chants of 'we're not beautiful, we're not ugly, we're angry'.

"Let the organisers and all those profiting from the event know that we are all angry that such an event is once again being held here in London, 40 years later.

"Bring placards, banners and raise your voice against this appalling offence against women's equality. Let them know loud and clear that this event has no place in London in 2011."

Miss England 2008 winner Laura Coleman urged protesters not to attend the event, arguing that pageants "empower" women.

She said: "Appreciating beauty should not cause anger. Women enter beauty pageants at their own will, they are not forced into it I don't understand why feminists think it is degrading, as pageants are actually empowering women. Ask any of the contestants.

"Pageants give the girls confidence and give them opportunities they may not otherwise have had and I can speak from experience.

"I don't think the protesters understand that Miss World do many amazing things including raising millions for Beauty With A Purpose every year."

The 60th Miss World final will bring together contestants from 122 countries, back in the city where it all began. It started in 1951 during the Festival of Britain on the South Bank of the River Thames.

Miss England director Angie Beasley said the contest "had changed with the times" and was no longer just about looking good in swimwear.

She said: "There is a talent, sports and Beauty With A Purpose round, which is the fundraising round, in the contest and the girls love taking part as I did back in the 80s.

"Yes they have to look great to win but it's so much more than a beauty contest. These people should give it a chance instead of thinking it's just a bikini parade.

"I'm all for women standing up for what they believe in which is why I run Miss England but I'm fed up of these protesters trying to bully us and push us around.

"We live in a free society where women have the right to choose. The contestants in Miss World are quite capable of making up their own minds if they want to enter or not and protesters shouldn't keep criticising the same decision. If you don't like it, don't watch it."

The winner of Miss World will spend a year visiting and supporting a range of global charity projects supported by Miss World's Beauty With A Purpose programme.