A 74-year-old will be giving a royal wave to the crowds in Romsey this summer.

Pensioner Lizzie Dutfield is Romsey Carnival’s Senior Queen – the first to hold the title for 23 years.

The wife of former and popular window cleaner Albert Dutfield will be taking her place alongside the other new town ‘royals’ at carnival events during her year’s reign.

Romsey businesswoman Naomi Reading is the new carnival queen.

The 24-year-old is the owner of Greenhill Patchwork and Quilting in Bell Street.

Her attendants are 14-year-old Bethany Marchant (senior) and Mia Marchant, 11, and Caitlyn Little, nine. All will be crowned at Romsey Mayor’s picnic on July 5.

The selection evening, sponsored by David Wilson Homes, was held at the Comrades Club. The judges were Teresa Hibberd and Ian and Cheryl Richards Pete Lomer of the carnival committee said: “Although the committee were disappointed with the turn out, those that did enter were, according to the judges, of very high standard.

“It was decided that with the high standard, there would be an additional junior attendant.”

This summer’s carnival week starts on Monday July 13 and the grand finale will be a parade through Romse