Miss Oxford Mail Lyndsay Fayle is beginning her preparations for next month's Miss England final - after completing her end-of-term exams at school.

In April, Lyndsay, 17, beat dozens of entrants to win the Miss Oxford Mail competition and go through to the Miss England final in London on Friday, July 18.

Lyndsay, from Denchworth, near Wantage, whose brother is in the Royal Marines, said she was ecstatic after getting the most votes from judges at the Miss Oxford Mail final.

Nationwide, 40 girls have already made it through to the Miss England final, which will be held at the Troxy Hotel, in London's Docklands. Ten more are still to be chosen.

Lyndsay, who is studying A-Level human biology, chemistry and dance, said: "I have just finished my AS-Level exams, so I have not really been able to concentrate on getting ready for Miss England until now.

"But now the exams are finished I am going to start preparing for the final because it is not far off.

"I studied dance at GSCE and AS-Level, so I will be performing a dance routine in the talent section.

"My chosen charity is the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, the forces' charity, so I am trying to organise sponsorship for that.

"On June 18, Hello magazine is staging a photoshoot at the Troxy, which will involve all the finalists.

"I'm really looking forward to that, because I will get a chance to have a look at the venue and meet all the other girls, which will make the final much less nerve-wracking."

In her role as Miss Oxford Mail, Lyndsay has appeared at the Oxford Mail Film Festival and will also be opening Childrey village fete on Saturday, June 21.

She added: "I am also modelling Oxford United's new kit on July 5 and I am really enjoying my role as Miss Oxford Mail. Even if I don't win Miss England I know I will enjoy the experience of taking part."

Miss England 2008, a two-day event, will be held on July 17 and 18.

The winner will go on to represent England in the Miss World competition in the Ukraine. Vivienne Lee, a spokesman for Miss England, said: "The final is only a few weeks away and there is a lot for the contestants to think about.

"They need to choose their costumes for the evening wear round and the swimwear round, and prepare for the talent section."