Tralee beauty stripped of title

Car dealership worker Sarah, from Oldbury, said her delight at triumphing in the May 11 contest organised by Sandwell Irish Society had turned to heartache after she refused to sign binding agreements that go with the title.

The 25-year-old had been due to compete for the title of English Rose of Tralee in a national finals next weekend.

She had hoped to win a place at the event's August grand final in the Irish town that gives the pageant its name.

But Sarah, who was eligible for the contest because her mother's parents came from Dublin, said she had been told she must return her sash and crystal rosebowl, but could keep her £200 prize money.

"One minute I was so happy, looking forward to representing the Irish community at engagements across Sandwell," she said.

"I was looking forward to the British Rose of Tralee final at Solihull on June 9, and maybe going on to the International Rose of Tralee Final in County Kerry in August."

But she said that Sandwell Irish Society and Rose of Tralee Panel member Siobahn Gorman had told her she was no longer the title holder and that contest's runner up would be taking over.

Sarah said she was unhappy with small print stating she could only take part in events agreed beforehand by the Irish society.

This afternoon, Mrs Gorman confirmed that Miss Howard's refusals to agree to be bound by the rules for Rose of Tralee winners was the root of the problem.

"I'm a little bit baffled by all of this, but I'm sure she has her reasons," she said.

"It's not been an easy fortnight but I'm glad that this has been resolved and we now have a new Rose."