TEIGNMOUTH'S new carnival queen is 13-year-old Gemma Butler.

She was chosen by a panel of judges at a competition at Teignmouth Rugby Club which attracted 27 entries.

Gemma, who attends Teignmouth Community College, will be crowned on Monday, May 4, at Teignmouth Triangle by a representative from Palm FM, preceded by a tea party at the Pickwick Restaurant, when the mayor will be among the guests.

She will reign during Teignmouth carnival week from July 26 to August 1, and also appear at other carnivals in the area.

Eight year-old Elle Parsons, who attends Inverteign Junior School, is the new carnival princess, and the two attendants are Mollie Parsons, five, Elle's sister, and Annabelle Davey, also five.

The contest was judged by Ann-Marie Robinson, from Utopia Health and Beauty, Fern Proctor, Susan Rendle, Valerie Woolway and Ami Collins.