New Lara Croft unveiled

As we get closer and closer to the release of the new Tomb Raider game, subtitled as Tomb Raider: Underworld, the Eidos press machine is starting to whizz up into fifth gear, starting with the appointment of a new Lara Croft model.

The new Lara is the ninth Eidos-endorsed beauty and is taking over the responsibility of filling those tight, tan coloured hotpants from the popular Karima Adebibe.

Alison Carroll, 23, is a professional gymnast from Croydon who has previously performed for the likes of Prince Charles. Alison managed to beat out hundreds of other applicants for the chance to play the new face of Lara Croft, with the final round of the auditions involving a naked mud wrestling competition...or so we imagine.

The chance to take over the role of Lara Croft from Karima Adebibe has allowed Alison to quit her previous job as a receptionist and focus on getting into shape for her future stint as the face of Lara, according to an Eidos press release.

Eidos has traditionally appointed a new model for each major Tomb Raider, with the exception of Chronicles and Anniversary most notably. Previous models have included the likes of Nell McAndrew and Rhona Mitra.

For more details of what you can expect in the new game, check out our Tomb Raider: Underworld preview.

So, what do you think to the new Lara? As good as the old? Check out the pictures of the Old and New Lara Croft and let us know your thoughts in the forums.