Hunt is on for a new carnival queen

Girls aged 15 and over who live within five miles of the town hall in Marlborough are eligible.

They have to be available for events from September 5 to 11, which is the day of the carnival procession.

This year the names of all the entrants will be drawn from a hat, said carnival chairman Rob Dickins, to ensure impartiality.

Mr Dickins said: "The duties of the carnival queen and her attendants are simple: Smile, wave and enjoy themselves."

The carnival queen will win £50 and a dress of her choice and her two attendants will get £25 each and a dress.

Applications must be with the carnival secretary Angie Dickins by 6pm on Tuesday. She can be contacted on (01672) 515171 or e-mail angie@marlboroughcarnival.co.uk

Mr Dickins said the carnival committee was aware of and shared the concern of traders and market stall holders about the effects on trade of High Street closures.

Last week the town's market traders sent an open letter to the mayor, Graham Francis, saying they and the town shops suffered during the recent road closures for the town's charter anniversary celebrations.

Mr Dickins said the carnival committee was ensuring that the times of the road closure for its Saturday procession on September 11 were kept to a minimum with help of the police.

The High Street will be closed from 5pm, by which time most shops will have shut and the market stalls will have been packed away.

Through traffic will be stopped and all parked cars at the side of the High Street have to be moved by 5pm. Police have agreed that cars parked in the central reservation can remain but cannot be moved once the carnival procession has started.

Mr Dickins said: "This year in order the keep the road closure to a minimum the charity stalls and daytime attractions that in the past have been in the High Street will be held on The Common."

Charities who wish to have a free stall on The Common should contact Angie Dickins as soon as possible.