ORGANISERS of Stourport Carnival are already looking ahead to the summer and seeking candidates for the roles of carnival queen, princess and rosebud.

The annual meeting of the carnival committee - which is open to the public - will be held on Monday, February 28 at Stourport Yacht Club in Engine Lane.

Nominations for the posts of chairman, secretary and treasurer will be taken and people will be elected to the roles on the night.

Carnival press officer, Pete Roberts, said he had application forms available in his shop, Pete's Prints, in Bridge Street, Stourport for anyone interested in putting their names forward for the queen, princess and rosebud competitions.

"The queen must live within a 10-mile radius of Stourport and the princess and rosebud must live in the town," said Mr Roberts.

He added that he also had application forms for anyone who wanted to have a stand on the day of the carnival which, this year, is Saturday, September 3.

"There are also forms available for people who want to put a float in," he went on.

Last year's carnival was one of the most successful of recent years, with attendance up by 10,000 on the previous year, with 30,000 people attracted by the festivities.

The number of floats - 30 - was also an improvement on the 2003 figure. Organisers were blessed by carnival day being held on one of the hottest days of the year.

The annual meeting of the carnival committee begins at 7.30pm. Anyone who wants further information can contact Mr Roberts on 01299 826930.