IT IS supposed to be the fairy tale moment every girl dreams of.

Every year the organisers of Romsey Carnival look forward to seeing hordes of young women who line up in the hope of being crowned Carnival Queen.

Selected by a panel of judges the lucky winner will then have the opportunity to represent the town at a variety of events, including the carnival as it parades through the town.

But this year, organisers were left baffled as not a single woman aged between 16 and 25 stepped forward to be crowned Carnival Queen at the Romsey British Legion Club.

It left organisers wondering if there was any interest in the town’s biggest event of the year.

Judges were left to ask last year’s queen, Naomi Reading, to wear the crown again for this forthcoming year.

Carnival spokesman, Pete Lomer, said: “We were totally surprised and annoyed.”

He added he had “no idea” why youngsters wouldn’t want to take part. “I just don’t think that the next generation are interested,” he said.

“We need to have a complete rethink of the whole procedure and how we go about it.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Previously Naomi has said: “I had a reasonable idea what it would be like but nothing could have prepared me for the most amazing year of my life. I have met so many wonderful people, helped raise money for local charities, waved at so many people, had my photo taken with so many people and that's just a fraction of the amazing experiences.

“Taking part in the carnivals, lantern parade, being a small part of the Remembrance Day parade, helping the Round Table, meeting Father Christmas and all the events of the carnival week, dancing in the street with The Old Cadets band have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life, the list is endless.”

The judges decided that Liz Bailey, 69, should be the Senior Carnival Queen, Lucie-Ann Holloway, 13, the Senior Attendant and Mia Newman, nine, as the Junior Attendant.

The 2016 “Royal Party” will be crowned at the Mayor’s Picnic on Sunday 3rd July.

The summer carnival week starts on July 11 and finishes on July 17 with the procession.

Events are already being lined up for the week including The Bed, Children’s Go Kart and Wheelbarrow Races on Tuesday July 12, Quiz Night on the Wednesday, the Procession on the Sunday and the Summer Darts Competition on July 23.

Pete added that other events are being considered.

It has also been announced that a two-year sponsorship deal with Renaissance Retirement has been signed.

The firm will sponsor the Carnival programme and pay for a Face Painter at the Mayor’s Picnic and the Committee are looking into having a balloon race at the same time.