WITH just a few weeks to go to until this year’s Astwood Bank Carnival members of the carnival royalty have been announced.

The 2016 carnival queen is Jess Davies age 15, and this year there are two princesses: Anna Smith age 12 and Sophia Lightfoot age eight.

Vicky Johnson, the carnival royalty co-ordinator said: “Every year we go out in search of our royalty and this year was no different in that we were overwhelmed with the number of entries and standards of performances and interviews.

"Congratulations should be given to all of our entrants. The committee would like to thank all parents/guardians for their continued support.”

On the day of the event, Saturday, July 9, the youngsters will be pampered before being picked up by limousine, where they will meet mayor Joe Baker and Redditch MP Karen Lumley, before leading the carnival procession in a horse drawn carriage.

When they return from the procession they will then be crowned carnival royalty.

For more information about the carnival, visit astwoodbankcarnival.co.uk.