THE biggest entry of budding beauties for five years in Kidderminster's annual carnival queen competition made it a tough job for judges.

Some 84 girls braved a packed town hall on Sunday to battle it out for the three titles on offer.

Laura Boswell, 16, of Stourport, was crowned queen amid stiff competition from 16 other competitors.

Laura, who attends King Charles I High School, Kidderminster, bounced back from failing to land the Stourport Carnival princess competition two years ago.

Laura said: "I was really shocked to win. I did not expect to as there were so many girls who looked like they could have won."

The teenager, who takes her GCSEs this summer, hopes to study A levels in English, psychology and sociology before going on to study psychology at university.

Meanwhile, Sophie Clegg, 10, who attends St Ambrose RC Primary School, beat 27 hopeful princesses to land her title.

This year's rosebuds chosen from 40 entrants are Cara Galloway, nine, who attends Foley Park First School, and Kayleigh O'Donnell, eight, of St John's First School, who entered last year and got into the last six.

The girls will be VIPs at the carnival on Saturday, June 22.

A carnival spokeswoman said: "It was one of the best entries we've had.

"Congratulations to all the girls. There was an excellent standard and it takes a lot of courage to stand up in front of a packed town hall."