'Sour grapes' over Welsh girl's US win

Anysha Panesar, 16, beat teenagers from all over the US to win the title at the pageant in Florida, where she was on holiday with her family.

Her mother Caroline Panesar, 41, said people who thought a British contestant should not have won were jealous.

"I did not hear anyone say anything nasty about her being British when we were there but I have heard it since and it is sour grapes.

"You are always going to get that, it is the nature of competition. For every person who says 'well done' there will be someone who complains behind her back."

Mrs Panesar said her daughter, whose Moulin Rouge-themed birthday party featured in the MTV programme My Super Sweet Sixteen, was stunned by her win.

Anysha, from Llangan, in the Vale of Glamorgan, won prizes including a $20,000 scholarship to study broadcasting in the US, a modelling contract and $2,000 in cash.