Salema Junior-Radford is Miss Jamaica UK 2010

Twenty-one-year-old medical student Salema Junior-Radford was crowned Miss Jamaica UK 2010 on Saturday, January 8, at the Camden Centre in London. Junior-Radford, was sponsored by Diverse Gifts and is currently in her third year of medicine at Newcastle University.

"When they announced me as the winner I was shocked - this is such a fantastic opportunity."

Twenty-six-year-old Nicole Richards, sponsored by Ella's Hair & Nail Designs, and 25-year-old Shauna-Kay Grant, sponsored by Ice Tease, were crowned first and second runners-up.

This year's high calibre of contestants made deliberations very tough for the panel of judges that included Janelle Oswald, award-winning celebrity news reporter for The Gleaner Voice Media Group; Leroy Logan, superintendent of the Olympic policing coordination team and Vaughan Bailey, reigning Mr England.

The event, which marked the 21st anniversary of the pageant, was filmed by French TV Channel Planète and was attended by over 500 guests, including Olympic medal-winning athletes Linford Christie and Dalton Grant, and former TV chat-show host Chrystal Rose. The Jamaican High Commissioner Anthony Johnson and wife Pamela, both patrons of the pageant, were also distinguished guests.

An impressive line-up of performers, including dance group Fresh Az Ice and singers Persia Knight, Miss K-Jah, Mizz Camara, Noel McKoy and Angel J entertained the crowd.

"This has been one of the best shows we have had so far, and Salema will be a great ambassador for Jamaica," said pageant president June Daley.

The main sponsors of the event included Waltham Forest College, Ziadies Solicitors, Bellantoni's Restaurant, The Gleaner Voice Media Group, Gold Discount Jewellery, Kingsley Shipping, the Flyer Newspaper, Cherrie Box Media and Bella West Boutique.