THE search is on to find Kidderminster girls to be crowned as this year’s carnival queen, princess and rosebuds.

The three competitions will be staged at the town hall on Sunday May 2 with doors opening at 10am for registering of the rosebuds contest which kicks off at 10.30am.

Judges will choose two youngsters aged six to nine to be rosebuds, a princess aged 10-13 and finally the carnival queen aged 14 to 18.

The lucky winners will be VIPS at the carnival on Saturday, June 19 and take pride of place in the street procession from the town centre to the Brinton Park showground.

All entrants will receive a portrait photograph and the winners of the three contests will each be awarded with a dress for the carnival which they can keep – courtesy of Bridal Train, of Load Street, Bewdley.

Cash prizes of £10 will be presented to the rosebuds, £30 to the princess and £75 to the queen on carnival day.

Carnival chairman Colin Hill said: “We are delighted that June Lacey, of Bridal Train, is sponsoring the competition again and providing the dresses for the winning girls for the third year.

“Her continued support is very much appreciated.”

He added: “The contests are always very popular and we are hoping that lots of girls will take part again this year. It’s a fun day for the contestants and winning is the icing on the cake.”

The princess competition will start at approximately 12.30pm and the queen contest at 1.30pm.

Contestants can enter using the form on Page 23 of this week’s Shuttle or on the day and there will be a £2 registration fee.

Refreshments will be available and there will be a raffle to boost carnival funds, proceeds of which will go to the district’s Girl Guides Association which is celebrating its centenary year.