THE search for Swindon’s very own royalty ended this week when two lucky girls were crowned Old Town Festival Carnival Queen and Princess.

After an appeal by the Old Town Festival Committee for a queen aged between 12 and 16, and a princess aged 8 to 11 to star at the June event, a group of youngsters came forward.

Charlie Asprey was crowned Carnival Queen and Lahni Burns was crowned Carnival Princess.

Six girls competed against each other for the title of queen while just two girls went head to head to be crowned princess at the event at Commonweal School on Wednesday evening.

There were two rounds – casual wear and an interview with the compere, and evening wear and a short performance in dance, music, drama, poetry, juggling or stand up comedy.

Committee member Alma Welby said: “I was so surprised at how confident the girls were, especially when some of them were just 12 years old.

“If it had been me, I would have been petrified, but they were brilliant.”

The next event on the festival for the committee will be the Roaring Twenties event on March 23 with competitions, a two-course dinner and £2 drink voucher for each person who dresses 1920s style.

Tickets are £12 each from 0790 3246955 or email Jenny on blueroseis@hotmail.co.uk.