A model has made history by becoming the first transsexual person to represent Spain at the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

Angela Ponce, 26, from Seville, won the national qualifying contest on Friday beating 22 other contestants.

As part of the prize, Ms Ponce will now have the opportunity to compete for Spain at the prestigious Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines later this year.

Twenty-six-year-old Angela Ponce (pictured) won the Spanish qualifying competition for Miss Universe on Friday

Ms Ponce wrote on Instagram shortly after her win: 'Bringing the name and colours of Spain before the universe is my great dream.

'My goal is to be a spokesperson for a message of inclusion, respect and diversity not only for the LGBTQ+ community but also for the entire world.'

She previously represented Cadiz in the 2015 Miss World Spain contest, but lost to Miss Barcelona Mireia Lalaguna who went on to win the top prize.

Despite Angela's participation, at the time the Miss World Organization did not accept transgender contestants.

In response, Angela said: 'At least I have the regional (Cadiz) crown on my head.'

In 2012, rival contest Miss Universe announced that it would allow transgender beauty queens after Canadian model Jenna Talackova successfully sued Miss Universe Canada organisers for initially disqualifying her for being transgender.

Miss Ponce said she first identified as a woman at the age of three and becomes Spain's first transgender Miss Universe competitor

At the pageant in May 2012, Jenna made it into the Top 12 but failed to reach the Top five. However, she was one of four contestants awarded the title of Miss Congeniality.

Angela, who is 181 centimetres (5 feet, 9 inches) tall, was crowned Miss Universe Spain at the same time as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community's celebration of Pride Month.

The beauty queen, who says she first identified as a woman at the age of three, will now represent Spain at Miss Universe 2018 at a date yet to be set.