A SHY teenage girl was crowned the newest Witham Carnival Queen – although her nerves meant that she nearly didn't attend the traditional court selection dance.
Young girls from across the area turned out in their glad-rags at Maltings Academy to audition for the Carnival Court roles.
But it was Isabel-Mary Osborne, 14, who was chosen to represent the town as the carnival Queen for the next 12 months – despite last-minute nerves that meant she nearly pulled out of the race.
"When I found out I was the queen I was completely shocked," said winner Isabel, of Silver End, who goes to St John Payne School in Chelmsford.
"I don't have much confidence so I really didn't think I would win.
"I had my mum and my nan there with me and my nan started screaming when it was announced. I only went along at the last minute because I was so nervous, and in the end my friends and family convinced me to take part.
"There are so many fun activities the court does over the year, hopefully it will help with my confidence to go out and make new friends."
Isabel was chosen out of 27 girls who paraded in front of the judges, before being interviewed individually on the role of queen as well as answering questions on which charity they would support in the role.
There were a further nine visiting carnival courts at the event from as far as Hornsey and Enfield, with others from Dunmow, Great Bentley, Maldon, Burnham-on-Crouch, Wickford, Basildon, Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham.
The Witham court, which now includes a "Rosebud Queen", was unveiled at a ceremony at Witham Town Hall on April 10.
They will officially start their reign, when they will represent Witham at events across the county and beyond over the next year, on July 5 when they will be crowned by last year's court and Witham's mayor Corinne Thompson at The Hut outside Tesco.
Callie Goodchild, 12, who goes to Maltings Academy in Witham and Georgia Green, 9, from Chipping Hill Primary School in Witham, were chosen to be princesses, while Lillia Berry, 6, of Silver End Primary School, will be the court's first ever Rosebud Queen.
Carly Victor, manager of the carnival court, said: "The judges found it very hard to choose from, the girls were scored on personality, speech and presentation.
"It is the first year we have held a Rosebud Queen title and Lillia is very excited to be a part of the court and cannot wait to get her dress and tiara."
