NEWLY-crowned Kidderminster Carnival Queen Caroline Greenhill is following in her mother's footsteps.

The 18-year-old secretary scooped the title at her second attempt in Sunday's contest at the town hall.

And she was doubly proud that her win enabled her to continue a family tradition started by her mum, Ann, who was Billericay's carnival queen in Essex. carnival queen Caroline Greenhill with Princess Helen Mackie and rosebuds Sophie Manville (left) and Jodie Davies.

It was Caroline's final bid for the Kidderminster title as she celebrates her 19th birthday on Easter Sunday, making her too old to enter the contest again.

"This was my last chance before I was 19 and I'm really proud to have won, especially as my mum has kept encouraging me to enter because she was a carnival queen," said Caroline, who lives in the town.

A previous year's rosebud, Helen Mackie, now aged 11, who attends Franche Middle School, won the princess title.

It was third time lucky for Sophie Manville, nine, a pupil at Windmill Middle School, Stourport, who was picked to be a rosebud. Joining her is seven-year-old Jodie Davies, who attends Wribbenhall First School, Bewdley.

The winners will receive dresses, for the carnival, to be held at Brinton Park on Saturday, June 21 and they will receive cash prizes of £10 each for the rosebuds, £30 for the princess and £75 for the queen on the day.