A Brighton woman has become Public Enemy Number One in Iceland after wooing one of the country's top music stars.

Verity Sharp, 22, enchanted Kristann Sceammudsson with her snowboots and arm-wrestling skills but got a frosty reception from the country's politicians.

When Kristann told radio listeners Brighton women were better than their Icelandic counterparts, he sparked a national controversy and an angry debate in Parliament.

Kristann made his name presenting a weekly national radio show, organising music festivals and managing bands.

He has collaborated with the country's most famous star, Bjork, but has now turned his back on his homeland after becoming engaged to Verity.

The pair will hold a traditional Nordic wedding in Reykjavik but will then set up home in Brighton.

When Verity set off for a three-month break in Iceland, she had no idea she would find both love and jealousy in the picturesque Scandinavian country.

Verity, of Albert Road, said: "I was mucking around with friends at a music concert one night and we started pretending to be bouncers.

"This man came along and I pretended not to let him in.

"When he tried to get past, the real bouncers thought he was being violent and told him to leave.

"I went outside to apologise and things developed from there.

"I had only just arrived in Iceland, so had no idea who he was.

"It was only when I saw my picture in Iceland's tabloids that I realised he was famous."

But it was Kristann's comments about British women which enraged his compatriots, who are fiercely proud of the beauty of Icelandic women.

Icelandic legend claims the ancient Viking raiders travelled the world and picked the most attractive women to take home.

Verity said: "Lots of people were offended when Kristann said it was better going out with an English girl but he only meant it as a joke.

"He certainly wasn't expecting to cause a debate in Parliament."

Iceland lies in the North Atlantic, just south of the Arctic Circle, and has recently become popular with tourists flocking to see its geysers, volcanoes and the Blue Lagoon.

The country's most famous exports are eccentric singer Bjork, Mastermind presenter Magnus Magnusson and Chelsea footballer Eidur Gudjohnsen.

But Kristann, 38, is looking forward to making his mark on England, starting with Brighton's music scene.

He added: "I immediately liked Verity because of her snow boots and arm-wrestling skills.

"The second time we met, she came into my house and arm-wrestled all my friends - and won!"

Jon Kaldal, a reporter with Reykjavik-based Iceland Review, said Kristann was best known by music lovers under 30, after working with several up-and-coming bands.

Of the controversy, he joked: "It was a bit of a storm in a teacup.

"Most people would laugh if you said British women were better looking - it's ridiculous!"