Hallelujah for new Miss Black Country

The 17-year-old from Wolverhampton showed she was not just a pretty face after hitting the right note when she sang Hallelujah in the final of the prestige contest at the city's raceourse.

Her singing voice proved to be her crowning moment as she beat off competition from nine other budding beauty queens to lift the 2009 title.

Click here to see more pictures from the event.

Now she has another title in her sights as she goes on to represent the region at this year's Miss England final.

Danielle, who auditioned for ITV's hit reality show X Factor last year, impressed the judges with her vocal skills.

The A-level student from Bushbury was the last of the 10 finalists to perform a talent in front of the judging panel and audience of 300 people on Saturday night.

The finalists, aged from 16 to 23, were quizzed by the judges before performing a talent in front of racegoers.

Some danced, some read poetry, others played musical instruments and another showed off her martial art skills.

Danielle showcased her vocal skills with a performance of X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's hit Hallelujah.

She was crowned Miss Black Country 2009 by Miss England, Laura Coleman, and Miss Black Country 2008, Kayleigh Yeomans, who were both on the judging panel.

Emma Lamb, 23, of Stourbridge and Amy Downes, 17, of Walsall, were the runners up .

"I'm sad to be handing over my crown, but I'm delighted it's going to a very worthy winner," said 20-year-old Kayleigh, from Tipton.

Danielle said: "It's been a brilliant experience."