OXFORD'S Miss World contestant Eleanor Glynn flew home empty-handed last night after failing to come in the top three in the competition in Poland.

Miss Glynn, 20, from Sandford-on-Thames, won the chance of competing for the Miss World crown when she became Miss England earlier this year.

But she failed to make the final 16 on Saturday night, and flew home last night.

Tatana Kucharova, 18, from the Czech Republic won the coveted title, defeating 103 other contestants, while Joana Boitor, 17, from Romania, was second, and Sabrina Houssami, 20, from Australia, was third.

Speaking from the Polish capital of Warsaw yesterday before returning to Oxford, Miss Glynn said: "Even though I didn't win, I had a really good time. The show itself lasted one-and-a-half hours but it flew by.

"I've made some friends for life here, and there were quite a few tears as the girls said goodbye to each other because we have been together for weeks.

"Miss Norway was my room-mate and I also got on really well with Miss Sweden - I wanted her to win."

Miss Glynn, who works for a medical company in Cowley, said she was looking forward to getting back to Oxford. She will continue to take part in Miss England events.

Miss England organiser Angie Beasley added: "Eleanor was a little disappointed she wasn't shortlisted for the final 16 but it was a very tough competition.

"The final went out live on TV to two billion viewers in 144 countries around the world. "Eleanor competed very well throughout the competition and we are very proud of her."

Last month, the contest did not get off to a good start for Miss Glynn when her luggage was stolen as she flew to Poland from Heathrow Airport.

She lost thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, music for the talent show, and her hairdryer, and her mother, Patricia, flew out immediately to replace the missing goods.

Then, after being selected as one of 20 contestants for the talent competition, she froze on the night because of nerves and failed to give her best performance of Rainbow's Since You've Been Gone.

Miss Glynn, who sings in an Oxford funk band called Kilter, was lucky to make it to the final.

She had a fear of flying and had to take a special course before she could board the flight to Poland.

This year's pageant was the 56th annual ceremony and offered the widest-ever participation of voters around the world via the Internet.

Supporters of Miss England in Oxford and across the country were asked to send in text messages voting for her to be fast-tracked to the final 16 but she was not selected.