Teenager Lyndsay Fayle stole a march on her rivals to win the Miss Oxford Mail title.

Lyndsay, 16, from Denchworth, near Wantage, whose brother is in the Royal Marines, said she was "ecstatic and elated" after getting the most votes from judges at yesterday's final.

She will now compete for the Miss England crown on July 18 in London.

Lyndsay arrived at the final at the Oxford Mail offices in Osney Mead, Oxford, after completing a chemistry practical for her A-Level at King Alfred's Sports and Community College in Wantage.

Lyndsay, who wants to be an osteopath, thanked her 21-year-old brother for his support and added: "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 proper aftercare and funding for the rest of their lives."

Lyndsay, who is also studying human biology, chemistry and dance, added: "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."

Miss England organiser Angie Beasley, also one of the judges, added: "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."

Lyndsay's friend Kate Wilmore, 23, from Wantage, said the whole town would be cheering when they found out she had won.

She added: "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, came third.

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

Megan added: "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.

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