EIGHTEEN young Worcester women have now put their names forward for this year's Carnival Queen contest.

And one of them, Jackie Law, has come a long way since she was last in the Evening News.

She battled against anorexia in 1998 and at one point her weight plummeted to four stone.

Jackie has slowly made a great recovery and has now put herself forward for the annual competition, which aims to find an ambassador for Worcester.

She and 17 other girls will go head-to-head in the competition at Huntingdon Hall, Deansway, on Thursday, June 7.

Girls from St John's, Warndon, Blackpole, St Peter's, Lower Wick, Hallow and Norton are all taking part in the event.

Worcester Carnival Queen Kirsty Evans will hand over her crown to the new queen at the event.

"I'm really thrilled with the response we've had," said Mike Dandey, carnival publicity officer.

"It's a bit sad that we won't have carnival day this year but there are still plenty of events for the Carnival Queen to be involved in.

"I've already got events in my diary for the next queen to attend. Being a Carnival Queen is a very important job.

"You have to be able to converse with people on all levels.

"We're looking for a girl who's outgoing and likes meeting people."

The event is being sponsored by Excel Automation, based in Gregory's Bank, Worcester.

Andy Dean, of Worcester Hospital Radio, will compere the selection evening.

A panel of five judges will make the final decision.

The judges include Geoff Hunt, managing director of Excel Automation; Kirsty Evans, Worcester Carnival Queen; an Evening News reporter; Sgt Tim Humber, of Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment and Steve Dorr, of Worcester Referee Society.

The winner will receive £150 cash and an Avon cosmetics pack.