STOURPORT has a new royal family, having chosen a new carnival queen, princess and rosebud.

Carnival queen this year will be 24-year-old Rebekah Crowther, who works in a travel agency.

The princess title was secured by Josephina Esposito, 13, who attends Hagley RC School. Six-year-old Molli Saull, a pupil at Areley Common First School, has earned the rosebud role.

All three will be on duty during Stourport Carnival, on Saturday, September 3.

The new title holders were selected at Stourport Manor Hotel on Sunday.

A £150 cash prize went to the queen, while the princess and rosebud won store vouchers.

Each will also have dresses - which they will get to keep - made to order to wear for their official duties, beginning with the carnival procession.

The carnival's press officer, Pete Roberts, was happy with entry numbers for the titles.

There were six contenders for the queen's role, 10 for princess and 16 who wanted to be rosebud.

"We were very pleased with that," he said. "Now they will be getting their dresses, ready for September 3."

Looking ahead to carnival day, Mr Roberts said: "For the first time ever, children under the age of 16 will get on to the carnival field, at Riverside Meadows, free of charge."

Among entertainers lined up to perform on carnival day were Stourport Brass Band and a Tom Jones tribute, as well as a Punch and Judy show for the children.

This year will mark the 80th anniversary of Stourport's carnival and Mr Roberts is inviting anyone with photographs of former holders of the carnival queen title to lend them to him so he can make copies for a display to celebrate the landmark.

He can be contacted at Pete's Prints, Bridge Street, Stourport or on 01299 826930.