Romsey'S new 'royal family' has been selected to represent the town at this summer and winter's carnival events.

Twenty-one-year-old Natalie Butler will reign over carnival fixtures and Cathleen Hall and Megan Besant will be the queen's two attendants - one senior and the other junior. All three take up their duties on Saturday, July 15, when a crowning ceremony will be held during the town's carnival fete.

The trio were amongst 20 young people vying for the sought-after positions at last week's competition staged at Romsey Comrades Club. Judges from outside the Romsey area decided on who should take over from the present carnival queen Kate Hurle and her two attendants, Rachael McIntosh and Chloe Meek.

Romsey's new carnival queen is an optical adviser at an optician's in the area and she is Chloe's aunt.

Cathleen - a Romsey School pupil - is no stranger to carnival circles, because the 14-year-old has taken part in annual processions many times in the past. And eight-year-old Megan attends Romsey's Cupernham Junior School and enjoys ballet and gymnastics and is a Brownie.

A carnival spokesperson said: "With another packed year, the new royal court will have their work cut out."