Miss England Alize Mounter (left) and Miss Scotland Jennifer Reoch at the 2011 Miss World final at Earl's Court in London

The Welsh woman representing England in Miss World narrowly missed out on taking the crown home at last night’s ceremony.

Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares, 21, from Venezuela, winner of Miss World

The Miss World honour went to Venezuelan Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares, 21.

Miss England Alize Mounter, along with Miss Scotland Jennifer Reoch, finished in the top seven out of the 113 contestants in the final at Earl’s Court in London.

Miss Mounter, who lives in Kensington Olympia, west London, said: “I’m really happy and tired. It was a breathtaking experience.

“I’m happy whatever the outcome, I’m that kind of person. I think things are meant to happen for a reason. I’m really over the moon.”

The 23-year-old now plans to return to her journalism studies at Roehampton University in London.

Strictly Come Dancing host Sir Bruce Forsyth was in the front row for the 60th Miss World final, which saw performances from dance group Diversity and boyband Blue.

Former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela even sent a message to the finalists through his grandson Chief.

He said: “Love to all the beautiful young women representing their 113 countries here tonight.”

Feminist campaign groups, including women from London Feminist Network, Object and UK Feminista, gathered outside the venue to protest against the contest.

Around 50 demonstrators brought banners and placards, one of which had ‘Treating women like cattle is not empowering’ written across it.

The women also sang “we’re not beautiful, we’re not ugly, we’re angry”.