London's mayor has condemned the decision to hold the displaced Miss World contest in the city following fatal riots in Nigeria.

The beauty contest is being staged at Alexandra Palace on 7 December, after abandoning its planned venue in Nigeria where riots left more than 220 people dead.

Violence between Christian and Muslim communities began last week after a newspaper article defended the contest.

The 90 contestants flew back to the UK over the weekend amid fears that the event would have to be cancelled altogether if no venue could be found.

After the violence and terrible loss of life in Nigeria, the staging of a Miss World event in this city is not welcome

London mayor Ken Livingstone

But Mayor of London Ken Livingstone urged Alexandra Palace managers to reconsider their decision to allow the contest to take place at the north London venue.

He accused the contest of bringing "tragedy and strife" to Africa.

He said: "I consider it obscene that the organisers should attempt to stage Miss World in London after what has happened in Nigeria.

"After the violence and terrible loss of life in Nigeria, the staging of a Miss World event in this city is not welcome."

But organiser Julia Morley said the contest could not be held responsible for the riots.

"They were down to one journalist who wrote something which inflamed the local people," she said.

"There is absolutely no way I feel guilty and to claim there is blood on my hands is incredibly hurtful."