The search begins for this year's Pelsall Carnival queen with the launch of the royalty competition

Young adults, teens and and young children are being urged to audition for the roles by taking part in the carnival's royalty competition on April 26.

Five females and one boy will be chosen at the selection event to ride on the main float in the carnival procession for the popular summer show which will take place on July 4.

These include a carnival queen and two maids of honour, who must be aged between 15 and 25; a princess aged between 11 and 14; a rosebud and a page boy aged between six and 10.

Entrants and parents are advised that the queen must live in the Walsall borough to aid the smooth running of the main show and it's activities. While the princess, rosebud and page boy must have Pelsall addresses.

Carnival secretary Ian Rhydderch said: “The competition is publicised to get people thinking about it.

"Times are changing as it's not at the top of every 18-year-old girl’s list to parade on a carnival float, but we still do get a nice competition and a lot of coverage.”

The competition on April 26 will be held at Pelsall Community Centre, in Station Road, Pelsall.

The queen competition will start at 1.15pm; the princess, rosebud and page boy categories will be held at about 2.30pm.

The carnival committee also raised a total of £830 from it's Father Christmas sleigh ride event held on several dates in December. Proceeds from the street collection will be part of donations distributed to good causes following the big show.

A delighted Mr Rhydderch added: "We are extremely grateful for the money and people are very generous.

"We raised £2,500 last year which was split between 18 charities such as the air ambulance service, Walsall Manor Hospital, local scouts and church groups.”