Queen Charlotte’s on special mission

St Annes Carnival Queen Charlotte Griffiths. Below, Charlottes grandad John Carr, who died of cancer in January

Charlotte Griffiths, 14, takes over from Zara Harris as queen at the event, and will aim to raise as much cash as possible for a cancer charity in memory of her beloved grandad, who she lost to the disease earlier this year.

She will dedicate her fund-raising efforts for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation to grandad John Carr, who died in January.

He was a familiar face at the carnival for many years, helping out with the miniature gardens competition.

“I am upset grandad isn’t here to see me crowned, as he was so proud when I told him I had been chosen, but I know he will be watching down on me,” said Charlotte, who attends St Bede’s RC High School in Lytham, dances at St Annes’ Clifton Academy and is a member of the 2nd St Annes Guides.

Zara’s fund-raising efforts over the last year, divided between Home-Start Fylde and the neo-natal unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, have topped £5,000, and she will be succeeded by Charlotte at a ceremony in Ashton Gardens. The crowning will follow the annual Saturday morning procession around town, which will begin at Clifton Drive North at 10.30am.

A programme of stalls and entertainment will run in Ashton Gardens on Saturday afternoon and from 11am to 5pm on Sunday as the Carnival covers two days for a fourth year.