Snake spoils woman's fashion contest fun

CANBERRA (Reuters) - A woman voted best-dressed at an Australian fashion contest was unable to collect her prize after she was bitten by a deadly snake, local media said on Monday.

Megan McDonough won the best-dressed contest at a horse race meeting at Hamilton in country Victoria state on Saturday, but was bitten by a Tiger snake before she could collect her prize.

"The judging had just been concluded. They were just giving them a final parade. And unfortunately Megan got bit on the foot," Hamilton Racing Club Secretary Manager John Donnelly told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio.

Tiger snakes are common in southeastern Australia during warm months and are among the world's deadliest snakes. Symptoms of a bite include localized pain, numbness and sweating, followed rapidly by breathing difficulties and paralysis.

Of the world's 10 most deadly snakes, all are found in Australia, and the country has around 100 venomous varieties.

Donnelly said the woman was taken to hospital and was recovering well.

"I've knocked around race courses a long time, and seen lots of things happen, but this is a first for me," he said.

(Reporting by Rob Taylor; Editing by Valerie Lee)