SIX South Brent girls have been given the honour of representing the village in this year’s carnivals.

The 2016 South Brent Carnival royalty were chosen at a recent children’s disco held at the Old School Community Centre in the village.

The lucky girls are: Shannon Camp, 15, Sophie Williams, 15, Catherine Kervella, 14, Molly Joseph, 12, Lucy Newman, 13, and Lillian Neale, 13.

South Brent’s royalty float will represent the village, attending more than 20 carnivals on the South and East Devon circuits between June and December. South Brent Carnival Club’s committee is hoping that this year’s float and girls will bring home as many trophies as in recent years.

Although delighted with this year’s royalty, the committee said it had been disappointed with the number of children who came to the selection event. In fact, only five girls came along, meaning organisers had to call on one of last year’s successful group, Lillian Neal, 13, who was good enough to step in at the last minute.

A spokesman said: ’It was mostly boys, only five girls turned up which is very disappointing as there are so many lovely girls in the village.’

The committee added its thanks to the two visiting judges from Sidvale Carnival Club along with one from South Brent, who had the easy task of choosing six young ladies from the five who entered. Thanks were also offered to all those who attended the fundraising dance at rattery Village Hall on Friday, April 1 – a good time was had by all.

The official engagements of the new royalty begin on Saturday, June 18, when the crowning of the six girls on Street Fair Day launches the 2016 carnival week. This year’s festivities run to Sunday, June 26, with the carnival parade itself taking place on Saturday, June 25.