NINE young women will battle it out tonight to be crowned this year's Trowbridge Carnival Queen.

A panel of judges will pick one winner after a tough selection procedure at Trowbridge Snooker Club this evening, from 8pm.

Friends and relatives of the finalists will be in the crowd, with music and entertainment laid on to make the event one to remember.

Cumberwell golf pro Steve Surrey has been invited along to crown the winner.

This year's competition, backed by the Wiltshire Times, compares starkly to last year's event, in which only one contender came forward.

Carnival organisers laid on extra incentives to make the event more attractive to entrants this time around.

As well as becoming the focal point of this year's parade, the Carnival Queen will be invited to a host of civic events, including the mayor's annual black-tie civic dinner-dance and the Christmas lights switch-on.

Carnival committee member Mary Rose said: "Each of the girls will be asked a few basic questions before the judges whittle down the entries.

"Then up to four girls will be interviewed separately and the judges will come to a decision. It is going to be a different kind of event so it is great to have nine finalists."

Wiltshire Times editor Toby Granville will be one of three judges picking the overall winner.

The ninth finalist is Penninah Asher, 25, of Yerbury Street, Trow-bridge. Penninah, born and raised in the county town, was nominated by her proud grandfather Tony.