TEIGNMOUTH'S carnival queen has been officially crowned and is preparing for a hectic season of flying the flag for the town in processions around the district.

The crown was placed on Megan Dowsing's head by the town's outgoing mayor, Cllr Vince Fusco, in his last official duty before standing down.

A large crowd watched the ceremony at the Triangle and the rest of the royalty – princess Courtenay Burnay and attendants Madison Peterson and Shannon Pook – joined in.

The girls retired to the nearby Pickwick Restaurant, where they took tea and cakes with the mayor, who was presented with a bottle of wine by the carnival committee. And the new 'royalty mum', Donna Norman, was given a bouquet.

She will be taking care of the party, who begin their duties in June. The highlight for them all will be their home town carnival week, July 24-31.