ROYALTY will visit Astwood Bank this month after carnival organisers named their queen, prince and princess.

Elizah Barnes, 17, will be carnival queen.

A Kingsley College pupil, she is a lifeguard and swimming instructor at Kingsley Swimming Pool and helps people train for the Special Olympics.

The prince and princess are Rideway Middle School pupils Edward Goddard and Laura Potter, who are both 10 and will be crowned at the Teddy Bears' Picnic in Astwood Bank Park on Sunday, May 13.

Elizah will be crowned queen at the Indigo Arts concert at the carnival field on Friday, May 18.

A ceilidh and quiz night to raise funds for the carnival have already taken place.

Carnival spokesman Graeme Jones said: "Both were a great success and we are now fast approaching the main events."

Over the past two decades the carnival has raised more than £130,000 for local charities and it is hoped more can be added to the total this year.

Activities for 2007 include a golf tournament and dinner on Friday, May 4, a horse racing night on Thursday, May 10 and a family fun run on Sunday, May 13.

The carnival parade and arena events take place on Saturday, May 19.

Tickets for all carnival events are available in advance from Pete-the-Meat or Hancock's Store in Astwood Bank.

For more details, call 598237 or visit www.astwoodbankcarnival.co.uk