A last-ditch search is on to find a carnival queen and princess for a Black Country extravaganza after attracting only a handful of entrants.

The struggle to find willing girls to lead Tipton Carnival comes after the competition was revived following pleas from residents after it was scrapped last year because of dwindling entrants. But this year just four people have applied to become carnival queen.

And not a single girl has yet come forward to become the princess for the day.

Selection contests for both competitions were due to be held this Friday but they have now been put back by a month.

The competitions for carnival queen, for girls aged over 16 and princess, for girls aged between 12 and 15, ran for 47 years before they were called off last year.

A junior competition, to find a rosebud, aged between nine and 11 and sweet pea, aged between five to eight, will still go ahead on March 27, and will now include the contests for the older age groups.

It is hoped that by extending the deadline more applicants will put their names forward.

Tina Rigby, of the Tipton Community Association, which runs the competition said: “We are very disappointed at the level of interest.

“We have postponed the final in the hope that we will get more entries.”

Tina said she believed the lack on interest stems from the fact there is no longer a carnival parade in the town.

A popular parade was discontinued in 2008 because of health and safety fears.

She said: “I think that interest has waned as the winners no longer get to take part in the parade.

To apply for any of the competitions call Angie on 07530 374438.

Applicants must have a DY4 postcode to take part and carnival queen competition applicants must be over 16.