From picking stocks to swapping frocks for Miss Hong Kong

Securities analyst Sandy Lau Sin-ting was crowned Miss Hong Kong last night amid criticism of the look of this year's contestants and a controversy about the alleged lack of professionalism of last year's winner.

After Ms Lau, 23, was named the winner at the Hong Kong Coliseum, she was crowned by the 1977 winner, Loretta Chu Ling-ling, said to be 'the most beautiful Miss Hong Kong'.

'I hope the new Miss Hong Kong can represent the city in international and mainland charity events,' Ms Chu said. 'I also hope this new title will bring her happiness and that she can make the most of it in the coming year.'

This year TVB abandoned the tradition of having the previous winner - in this case Edelweiss Cheung Shu-nga - crown the new winner, since Ms Cheung was accused of not fulfilling her duties as Miss Hong Kong over the past year.

The first runner-up was university student Germaine Li G-man, 21, while Mizuni Hung Wing-sze - a 25-year-old marketing assistant who was the top scorer in the swimsuit section - was second runner-up.

Carly Wong Ka-lai, a 24-year-old PhD candidate, was named Miss International Goodwill. Miss Photogenic was Candy Yuen Ka-man, a 24-year-old film distribution officer who works for Hong Kong film director Peter Chan Ho-sun.