Horwich carnival will carry on with the same queen as last year - because nobody bothered to enter this year's contest.

The other three female members of the carnival royalty and the new page boy were decided by a panel of local luminaries.

But the thorny question of who would wear the queen's crown was resolved when last year's queen, Nicola Plimley, aged 21, agreed to carry on.

Organisers said they were disappointed but blamed apathy among Horwich town's folk.

Brother and sister Andrew Platt, aged eight, and Hannah Platt, aged six, where chosen as pageboy and rosebud.

Hayley Ashton, aged eight, beat off competition from three other youngsters to become princess.

The junior queen was chosen as Gemma Greenfield, aged 14, a pupil at Rivington and Blackrod High School.

Organiser Judith Pollards said: "It was just a general lack of interest.

"But I think if we didn't have a carnival then they would soon miss us, I know the charities would.

"I don't think the girls know what a good time they would have had over the year if they had gone in for it."

The queen and the other members of the carnival royalty will be crowned on Sunday, June 28, at Horwich RMI Club, after the carnival parade.

Organisers say tickets are selling well for the Horwich Carnival Jazzmania Gala Concert at the Horwich RMI Club on Friday, May 15 - more than a third were sold in the first five days.

The concert will feature Sounds 18 Big Band, Jeriatric Jazz and talented young musician Alistair White, appearing in Horwich for the first time.

Tickets from the RMI Club (01204 695742) or Barbara Ronson (01204 695742).

All money raised to go towards the 1998 carnival charity, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

Organisers are appealing for more clubs and societies to join in the Horwich Carnival Parade.

Walking groups as well as floats are welcome.

Organiser Barbara Ronson said: "The parade is a great show-case for local organisations, schools, churches, pubs and clubs to advertise themselves by taking part.

"Trade entries are also very welcome.

"The entry need not be an elaborate float, although floats are very popular with the spectators."

The winner will be given £100 to donate to a charity of their choice - Claypool School won last year, giving the money to Bolton Hospice.

A trophy will be given to the person who collects the most money - last year's winner was Andrew Stutchbury dressed as Roy Chubby Brown.

Street collectors must be over 16 year years old.

Left to right on the picture: Back row: 1997 princess Tanya Barratt, junior queen elect Gemma Greenfield, carnival queen Nicola Plimley.

Front row: Rosebud elect Hannah Platt, 1997 rosebud Jodie-Marie Smeddon, princess elect Hayley Ashton, and pageboy elect Andrew Platt.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.