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WANTAGE teenager Lyndsay Fayle stole a march on her rivals to win the Miss Oxford title.

Lyndsay, 16, of Denchworth, whose brother is in the Royal Marines, said she was "ecstatic and elated" after getting the most votes from the judges.

She will now compete for the Miss England crown on July 18 at a hotel in Docklands, London.

Lyndsay arrived at the final at the Newquest Oxfordshire - publishers of The Herald and its sister newspaper, the Oxford Mail - offices in Osney Mead after completing a chemistry practical for her A-level at King Alfred's Sports and Community College, Wantage.

Lyndsay, who wants to be an osteopath, thanked her 21-year-old brother for his support, adding: "My brother has served in Iraq. He is in this country at the moment and I want to thank him for his support.

"People in the forces are putting their lives on the line. It is sheer courage and if they are injured they should get the proper aftercare and funding for the rest of their lives."

Lyndsay, who is studying human biology, chemistry and dance, said: "I am absolutely thrilled beyond words to become Miss Oxford and I have had the most wonderful day.

"I hope to show people that there is more to Oxford than just the universities or Inspector Morse."

Oxford Mail entertainments editor Jeremy Smith, on the judging panel, was so impressed by Lyndsay that he told her she would one day make a good forces' sweetheart.

Miss England organiser Angie Beasley, also one of the judges, said: "I am very pleased that Lyndsay has been chosen as Miss Oxford.

"She is very natural and bubbly and her personality shines through.

"She is not pretentious at all and that's partly what won her the competition. For one so young she is very confident." Lyndsay's friend Kate Wilmore, 23, of Wantage, said the whole town would be cheering for her friend when they found out she had won.

She said: "A whole bunch of us will be going down to London to cheer her on."

Megan Convey, 19, from Banbury, was second, while Chantal Murray, 22, from Headington, Oxford, came third.

Chantal said: "I really enjoyed it and I might even try it again next year."

Megan said: "I never thought I would have the confidence to do something like this but I did. All the girls gelled really well."

Following an interview section and a swimwear round, the judges made their final decision.

All seven finalists were given gift bags from Champneys and Lyndsay will get a day at a Champneys health resort of her choice.

The other finalists were Zara Faulkes, 18, Suzanne Ball, 22, Pascale Watkins, 18, and Shenna McGuinness, 22.

2:18pm Friday 25th April 2008

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