See the world and meet new people - that's the advice from former Miss England Eleanor Glynn who is urging Oxford Mail readers to take part in this year's Miss Oxford contest.

The 21-year-old brunette from Sandford-on-Thames, won Miss Oxford in 2006 and then went on to win the Miss England title, allowing her to compete in Miss World.

Now she is urging young women in Oxfordshire to follow in her footsteps and enter this year's competition, which is backed by the Oxford Mail and called Miss Oxford Mail.

After being crowned Miss England, Eleanor competed in the Miss World competition in Poland and in Miss Europe in the Ukraine.

Since handing over her Miss England crown, she has completed numerous modelling contracts.

She told the Oxford Mail: "I never expected to be chosen as Miss England but it led to lots of great opportunities for me and I am busier than ever now as a result.

"Taking part in Miss Oxford Mail could lead to lots of opportunities to travel and meet new people, but you have to be prepared to push yourself and work hard.

"Taking part in Miss Oxford and the Miss World competition was a real eye-opener and I got to make friends with girls from all over the world."

Eleanor will be on the judging panel for this year's contest, and later this month she will be one of three winners of the Miss England contest to attend Bruce Forsyth's 80th birthday at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

Georgia Horsley, 20, won the national title of Miss England on June 30 last in Leicester and was presented with the crown by Miss Glynn.

Georgia, from Malton, North Yorkshire, won a place in the Miss World final in Sanya China, and received over £25,000 in prizes of clothes and holidays and gifts.

Since winning, Georgia has appeared in Hello magazine, on BBC2, and has raised awareness for deaf charities around the country.

The current Miss England has also enjoyed travelling to Malaysia and China and around the country, and will continue to do so until a new winner is selected in the summer 2008.

This year the Oxford Mail has joined forces with the Miss England office to find a young woman to represent Oxford in the next Miss England semi-final, which is being held at Champneys health resort in Ashby De La Zouch, Leicestershire, on June 16 and 17.

The organisers are looking for local girls who want the chance to compete, and successful entrants will be invited to attend a photo audition at the Oxford Mail next month.

Angie Beasley, Miss England spokesman, said: "It's great to be joining forces for this year's Miss Oxford competition and I'm sure we will get lots of great entries."