WINSFORD Carnival Queen has been replaced for the first time in almost 40 years because the girl who was due to take up the role is away on a school trip.

Nikita Mangan, 13, was ecstatic about being the Carnival Queen but her dreams have been dashed because she is visiting France during the event on July 16.

Organiser Yvonne Marriott said: "She is absolutely distraught and I feel so sorry for her.

"She was really looking forward to this and she is inconsolable at the moment but there just isn't anything we can do about it because the carnival must go ahead.

"This hasn't happened for 37 years but there was no way we could postpone the event because of it.

"I know Nikita's family are upset about it too and we looked for any alternative other than this but there just wasn't one."

Lady in waiting Lauren Brown will now be this year's queen and the 14-year-old is delighted that she has been given the unexpected honour.

Yvonne said: "Lauren is really made up that she will now be the carnival queen but I think she does feel really sorry for Nikita.

"It's not the circumstances she would have wanted I'm sure but I'm confident she will make a great carnival queen."

Preparations for the big day are going well but more help is needed to make the carnival as successful as last year.

Yvonne said: "We are really short lorries for the floats and it is quite worrying for me.

"If anyone out there could help us out then it would be fantastic because the procession won't be as long as we want it to be as it stands."

To offer a lorry for the carnival call Yvonne Marriott on 01606 557942.