A LYTHAM girl's dreams of winning the Miss Blackpool final have been dashed after she came down with a mystery illness while topping up her tan on holiday in Benidorm.

Sarah Clark, 18, from Lytham, was due to take part in the Miss Blackpool final at the Winter Gardens tonight (August 24) -- but has ended up in a clinic on the Costa Blanca.

Sarah, pictured here, was due to fly home on August 22 but the day before she was admitted to the clinic for tests because she felt unwell -- possibly due to food poisoning or a bug from sea water.

Speaking from the clinic, Sarah told The Citizen how upset she was to be missing out.

She said: "I'm gutted! When I got through I thought 'brilliant, at least I'll have a tan', but then this happened. "I don't know what's wrong exactly but I'm being flown home and will have to report to hospital."

Her parents Bryan and Sue said that Sarah went along to the original Miss Blackpool heats with her friend, but was spotted and told she should take part.

Mum Sue said: "She was surprised at being asked but didn't think she'd get through to the finals.

"She has just started a new job at Guardian Insurance in Lytham, but someone had hit the back of her car, so she wanted a break in the sun with her friends to top up her tan.

"Sarah is upset at missing out. But she is in good spirits and is waiting to come home, although we are worried because of the distance between us."

Sarah was being flown from Alicante to Manchester and was due to arrive later today before being transferred to hospital on the advice of the family doctor.

Mr and Mrs Clark said they wanted to thank all their friends and relatives for their kindness and support.