THE queen and retinue for this year's Winsford Carnival were chosen on Sunday and organisers are now looking forward to a successful event.

The queen will be 13-year-old Claire Musgrave and her princess is Emma Daniells, 12, who is a pupil at Verdin High School.

Fairy queen for this year is six-year-old Alicia Reid and rose queen will be Shannon Bradley, also six.

The lady in waiting will be Katie Kinsey, 13, and eight-year-old Joe Marriott was chosen as the carnival prince.

Judges decided the rosebuds for the event will be Laurie Hodgekiss, Amy Turner and Hollie Murray, with court ladies Chloe Mitchell, Beverley Icely, Rebecca Bason, Katie Dean, Amy Baldwin, Kianne Cox and Sophie Reid.

Although the number of children wanting to be part of the retinue disappointed event organiser Yvonne Marriott she believes the carnival will be a great day.

She said: "I'm really looking forward to it because it is a wonderful occasion and it should be a lot of fun."

Yvonne is hopeful that more interest in the carnival will be shown now that the queen and retinue have been chosen

She said: "I'm hoping once we start having the meetings with the parents of the children we will start to get a bit more help."

The carnival was in jeopardy earlier this month following a lack of interest in the event from the public but Yvonne is confident it will now go ahead.

The carnival committee has also organised a ladies' night to take place at Winsford United Football Club on April 29 with all proceeds going towards the running of the event.

For details, contact Yvonne on 01606 557942.