THERE’S lots going on in preparation for Cockermouth Carnival - but the organisers are hoping to recruit some more royalty.

They have got a carnival queen, retiring queen, Britannia, prince and princess but still need the following queens: snow, ivy, gypsy, fairy and rose.

Town councillors Julie Laidlow and Isabel Burns, who have been on the committee for more than 30 years, resurrected the carnival two years ago after a five-year break.

They’d love to hear from anyone who would like to take part on Saturday, June 15.

Fairfield Primary School and Mandy’s Dancing Divas have already signed up.

“Anyone can enter, the queens don’t have to have floats, they can be on foot or in a car.

"If you would like to do a float there’s lots of help and advice available,” said Julie.

“It’s important that this is supported, there are not many events in the town for children.

"If we lose the carnival we are losing a bit of our heritage, it’s been going for more than 100 years and brings the community together.”

Julie’s granddaughter, Amelia Shaw, 10, has been involved in the carnivals since she was a toddler. She was carnival queen last year so will be retiring queen this year.

Her grandson, Noah Richards, three, will be the prince. This is his first time in the carnival.

Queen this year is Shannon Hine. Princess is Kayla Baker, three, while Lakshmi Jones, six, enjoyed being Britannia so much last year that she is going to do it all again!

Isabel said: “It’s all going to plan, anyone can do a float, the more the merrier.”

Participants will meet on South Street at 12.30pm for judging.

The parade, lead by Cockermouth Mechanics Band, will then head up Lorton Street, down Kirkgate and on to Market Place. They will then head along Main Street before gathering in Memorial Gardens where there will be a fun fair and some stalls.

The event was held annually for almost 120 years until 2012. It was not held for the following five years because of various issues including flood recovery work and roadworks.