Julie Martin, newly crowned Miss Northern Ireland, has swapped her evening wear and swimsuit for the less glamorous uniform she wears as practice manager for a Belfast dental surgery.

The fair, brown-eyed 20-year-old from Finaghy still can't believe her luck.

"I really didn't think I would win. I only came third in my heat so I am still in shock to be honest," she said on her first day back at work after the final on Monday night.

Because of a change of rules in the realm of international beauty pageantry, Ms Martin also has the unprecedented opportunity of becoming the first Miss Northern Ireland to compete in Miss World, which takes place in London this year.

In the past, Miss Northern Ireland would only get the chance to go global if she beat competition in England, Scotland and Wales to become Miss UK.

Eric Morley, director of the Miss World contest, said that when England, Scotland and Wales became separate entries to Miss World last year, "it seemed common sense to afford the same privilege to Northern Ireland".

The re-establishment of the Stormont Assembly was also behind the decision.

Quizzed on the thorny "aren't beauty competitions all sexist?" issue, Ms Martin showed a diplomacy she will doubtless need to call on again during her reign as Miss Northern Ireland.

It is everyone's personal decision, she says. If girls aren't forced into it, then why shouldn't they be allowed compete?

"Everyone has their freedom of choice and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I don't agree with that opinion, otherwise I wouldn't be here now," she says.

She doesn't think her new role will change her but has told her friends that if she does change "they have to bring me back down to earth".

While she doesn't exhibit the stereotypical beauty queen hankering for world peace, she would like to work with children and is considering going to college to study as a primary school teacher after her reign.

"Or maybe something creative like interior design but I love my job and they have been great to me about the competition," she says.

Also on the agenda are driving lessons - among the £20,000 worth of prizes was a Suzuki car. "I can't even drive," she laughs.

BUT top of her list of things-to-do-now-I-am Miss Northern Ireland is securing a passport. She has never travelled further than the Republic of Ireland but says she is looking forward to representing Northern Ireland around the world. "It's such a brilliant opportunity."

When she had to pick a question out of the hat during the competition, she was asked how she would portray Northern Ireland to the other Miss World entrants.

"I just want to let everyone know that Northern Ireland is the best place to live; they are the best people." She is a Protestant but says "it doesn't matter, it makes no difference, my best friend is a Catholic".

"I'm sure outside this country a lot of people would think it is a dreadful place and that you must be terrified to leave your house but I've lived here 20 years and it is brilliant."