As the date of popular carnival approaches, organisers are calling for girls to send in their applications to be in with a chance of being crowned carnival royalty.

Bridport is seeking a new carnival queen and princess ahead of this year's carnival and torchlight parade.

The Bridport Carnival Royalty Competition is open to applications now.

The two categories are: Carnival Queen (entrants must be aged 11-16) and Carnival Princess (entrants must be aged 7-10). There will also be two carnival attendants chosen from across both of these age categories.

Entrants must be of age on the day of the competition, to be held next month, and live within a one-mile radius of Bridport.

This year's royalty will be chosen by independent judges and entries will be accepted up to, and on, the day.

The competition, to be followed by a small disco, will be held at Bridport Conservative Club, North Street, on Sunday, June 10. Entrants will be asked a series of questions in small groups and all must be available for both carnival and the torchlight procession.

Started in 1971, Bridport Carnival has been a firm favourite on the town's calendar ever since and is said to be the town's biggest, free event.

The carnival procession is due to take place on Saturday, August 18, followed by the torchlight parade on Sunday, August 19. Carnival-goers will then be able to head down to West Bay to enjoy the traditional fireworks display while a bonfire is lit on the beach.

There will be lots to keep visitors entertained in the week leading up to the parade, with quizzes, bingo, skittles and darts events being held at various locations in the town.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to enter the Bridport Carnival Royalty Competition, send details including your name, age, contact details and a brief description of why you would like to enter the contest, along with a photograph, to 66 South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NN.

Or, contact committee member Becky Fox on Facebook.