OUTGOING Miss Wales, Chloe-Beth Morgan, swapped one crown for another as she was named Miss UK.

The 23-year-old Cwmbran fitness instructor was celebrating her new title as she passed the Miss Wales crown to Lucy Whitehouse, 21, from Barry, on Saturday night.

Miss Morgan attended a charity event for the Joshua Foundation on Friday night at the Holland House Hotel, Cardiff, when Miss World organiser, Julia Morley, made the announcement.

Miss Morley said the selection was made during the Miss World finals in Johannesburg last December and the decision was kept secret until the eve of the Miss Wales 2009 competition The title is awarded to the girl who wins the highest number of points within the UK nationas at the Miss World competition. It is the first time a Miss Wales has held the Miss UK title since 2004.

Miss Morgan said the accolade was a great way to end her year as Miss Wales.

Gwent’s Miss Wales’ finalists were among 70 hopefuls to battle it out at the Cardiff International Arena on Saturday night, but lost out to Miss Whitehouse. The Mr Wales title went to Mark Tancock, 24, from Swansea.

The event raised more than £115,000 for the Joshua Foundation, which provides holidays and trips for children with terminal cancer.