Valerie Begue, 22, was in disgrace after organisers of the beauty pageant took exception to the photographs of her floating on a crucifix in a swimming pool and eating yoghurt in a sexually suggestive manner.

The decision to demand that Miss Begue be sacked has almost triggered a revolt in her home town on the island of Reunion in the French Indian Ocean.

Valerie Begue has been ordered to hand back her Miss France crown

The young business student posed for the photos three years ago anad they were re-published in a French magazine.

As soon as the images of her, wearing only a bikini, were printed Genevieve Fontenay, head of France's Miss World panel, said Begue should quit.