AS plans for this year’s Astwood Bank Carnival on July 9 start to move into full swing organisers are keen to find this year’s carnival royalty.

Applications are now being sought for a carnival queen, prince and princess, with an applications closing May 3.

The new members of royalty will be transported in a horse drawn carriage around the carnival procession route on Saturday, July 9 and will be expected to participate in other events during the year.

Applications, available from astwoodbankcarnival.co.uk, for prince and princess can be handed into Astwood Bank First school or emailed to vicky.dj@hotmail.co.uk.

People have to be aged between six and 13 and either live in, or go to school in Astwood Bank School, to qualify.

The carnival queen should be aged 14 to 25-years-old and must live within a 10 mile radius of Astwood Bank.

To apply for the role queen simply people must write a short piece about themselves and email vicky.dj@hotmail.co.uk.

Vicky Johnson, the carnival royalty co-ordinator said: “This is always one of the great privileges and highlights of the carnival year in finding our new members of royalty, and with the deadline of May 3 fast approaching we are looking forward to hearing from some enthusiastic applicants.”

For more information, visit astwoodbankcarnival.co.uk.