Updated: YORK’S new queen of the city is just what the doctor ordered – now she hopes her success will shatter stereotypes.

Helen Lawal has claimed her second prestigious beauty title in a matter of months by being crowned Miss York 2009, and the year ahead will see her become a flagbearer for the city.

The 23-year-old reigning Miss Black Britain is Nigerian-born, but now lives in Pickering and is studying to become a doctor at the University of York-based Hull York Medical School.

But she left her textbooks behind for a night in favour of glamorous ball-gowns as she received the Miss York sash from the outgoing holder of the title, 20-year-old law student Helen Jackson.

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“When I heard about Miss York, I just thought ‘why not go for it?’, but I can honestly say I never saw myself winning,” said Helen.

“It was so important to me just to enjoy the experience that I never focused on winning, so it’s almost an extra. I’m shocked, but all the other girls have been lovely – everybody entered for their own reasons, including some very selfless ones.

“Hopefully, over the next year I can help to put York on the map. While a lot of successful models come from London, there is so much talent in this area and the city has so much to offer, so I want to do what I can to promote that.

“I also think it’s good for the title to be won by somebody involved in a field like medicine, which is partly why I entered – to show you can be successful in two areas and break down the stereotypical notion of what a beauty queen is.

“I’d like to show other girls that it doesn’t have to be a question of either looks or brains – you can do both.”

It was a “one-two” for Pickering as Laura Ehima, 23 – who, like Helen, hails from Nigeria and attended Lady Lumley’s School in the Ryedale town – claimed the runner-up spot, with 22-year-old Beth Ridley third.

Looking back on her Miss York year, Helen Jackson said: “I will miss it 100 per cent. I’ve enjoyed being an ambassador for the city so much.

“That’s the most important thing – to be proud of York and Yorkshire and remember who you’re representing – but I know Helen will do a fantastic job.”

Event organiser Vivienne Lee said: “While it’s sad to see Helen’s reign as Miss York end, because she has been fantastic, we’re delighted to welcome another Helen as the new holder of the title.”

The ceremony, hosted by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration and ex-Miss York and Miss England Georgia Horsley – also staged a touching moment as former finalist Emma Young, 22, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, presented the Charity Award to contestant Kelly Astbury for her fundraising work in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the beneficiary from this year’s event.