Chelsea is judges' choice to lead the carnival

A panel of seven judges picked out Chelsea, from Littlehampton, who was also the Gazette readers' winner, after interviewing the nine candidates on Sunday.

"It feels amazing," she said. "I didn't think I would win. It still hasn't really sunk in."

The two Carnival Princesses are Lauren Goode, 17, and Carly Wells, 16, both from Littlehampton.

Chelsea wins 400 prize money as well as a portrait sitting with Paul Millen Photography, and the Cuff Miller Trophy.

Lauren and Carly each win 150 and all three girls will keep their specially-made dresses.

The main sponsors of this year's competition are the Littlehampton Gazette, COSi, Michael Jones Estate Agents, Paul Millen Photography and the Arun View pub.

Chelsea, a year 10 dance student at Littlehampton Community School, said she will spend her 400 on a video camera.

She said: "I'd like to thank my friends and family and everyone who voted for me.

"My friends have been really supportive of me and been telling everyone at school that I'm going to be Carnival Queen.

"It's really exciting."

Carnival Princesses Lauren and Carly are equally as excited about the coming year.

Lauren, who is studying a Btec National Diploma in acting at Chichester College, said: "I'm really looking forward to meeting lots of new people. That's one of the main things that attracted me to the competition.

"When I was told to come to Freda Hughes' house I was so excited, I didn't know what to expect. I can't wait for the carnival."

Lauren said she will put her 150 prize towards buying her first car.

Carly starts a hairdressing NVQ at Chichester College in September.

She started jumping around and screaming when she heard she had been chosen as a Carnival Princess.

Her prize money will go towards a trip to Alton Towers next weekend.

"I was so excited," she said. "I'm looking forward to taking part in the carnival and especially to the day at Harbour Park with the disabled people.

"I'm also looking forward to getting to know Chelsea and Lauren better. They seem like really nice, bubbly girls and I think we will get on really well over the year."

The girls' first official duty is an Easter Fun Day on bank holiday Monday, April 17, at the Wickbourne Swan in Clun Road.

There they will preside over an Easter egg hunt, bonnet competition and fancy dress competition.

The judges were Arun District Council chairman, Tony Squires, Littlehampton mayor, David Dyball, David O. Jones sports shop owner, Tyndall Jones, Alan Kentfield from Michael Jones estate agents and his wife Justine, caretaker of the Manor House in Littlehampton Julia White, and Samuel Underwood, from the Gazette.