Jessica, 11, of Downlands Avenue, Broadwater, beat off strong competition from 35 other young hopefuls in our most successful search for the carnival princess.

Being crowned was a dream come true for Jessica, who had wanted to enter the competition for the last three years but has been in and out of hospital with a rare stomach condition.

Jessica, who goes to Downsbrook Middle, said: "I was very shocked. I didn't even expect to make it into the top three. My teacher announced the news in class and all my school friends are really pleased for me."

Her mum, Karen, and other family members, including sister Lauren, 14, who was a Broadwater Carnival attendant a few years ago, were at the special princess disco in Broadwater on Saturday to witness the announcement.

Karen said: "Jessica has wanted this ever since Lauren was an attendant, but her condition has meant she is sometimes poorly and been in hospital. Lauren also suffers from the same condition, which is a rare form of colitis, and they get flare-ups every four or five months and need to be put on a drip in hospital.

"It is incredible she has won and she was crying when she found out."

Jessica will lead the carnival procession on July 19 and she will be joined by two attendants, Billi-Rae Stevenson, 10, and Ella Newton, eight.

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