A car crash survivor has been crowned the first black winner of Miss Surrey 2012 and is now set to take on women from around the country for the title of Miss England.

Shenice Bennett, 23, from Selhurst, suffered a spinal injury five years ago after a car accident which has left her with Syringo Myelia, trapped fluid in her spinal cord, which causes a limp and can lead to paralysis.

She said: "My confidence was shot after the car accident. I just wanted to be a normal teenager but couldn’t because of my disability. My mum booked me a photo-shoot as a surprise and after the shoot, the photographer asked me if I had ever considered modelling."

Miss Bennett, who works as a payroll advisor, took the first prize at the competition on Sunday February 12, with Nadege Tshiayima, 21, from Croydon taking third.

She said: "I won the popularity part of the competition which was really pleasing. I’d done a lot of campaigning on Facebook and Twitter and it made me proud that the British-Caribbean community, that I am a part of, responded so well."

Miss Bennett booked a place in the Miss England final with her victory, while Miss Tshiayima must compete in the semi-final.

Having a disability and being a finalist in the Miss England pageant means Miss Bennett can give back to the community in a charitable way.

She said: "As part of the Miss England pageant I have to raise money so I’m going to focus obviously, on Syringo Myelia and finding ways to make raising money fun for young people."