FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Beth Paull is Bridport’s Carnival Princess 2009.

The Sir John Colfox School pupil impressed judges at a selection event in the town’s Conservative Club.

Carnival committee chairman Shaun Fox said: “It gets harder and harder each year to choose and it was even worse this year with less to choose from.

“We pick who we feel will fulfil the post best and the committee decided Beth was the one who seemed to stand out from the rest with her confidence and the way she put herself forward.”

The tough selection process began two weeks ago when nine girls were photographed for the Bridport News and explained what they loved and hated about the town and why they wanted to be Carnival Princess.

News readers were then asked to help the judges decide by being given a chance to vote for their favourites for the princess and junior titles.

Then at the selection process the candidates were all invited to dance and answer more questions before the final decision was made.

Carnival Princess Beth Paull said: “It was really good to be chosen. I thought there was a chance I might be an attendant but I never actually imagined they’d read my name out, it was quite amazing.

“I have entered once before but I didn’t get anywhere but this time I think it was because my confidence has grown.

“I am really looking forward to being pampered all day and then getting involved with the carnival.”

This year special circumstances saw Jade Coombs allowed to enter the competition on the day.

With Jade’s best friend just being diagnosed with leukaemia and her grandad dying, she missed the competition deadline but Mr Fox gave her the go ahead to enter on Sunday.

Jade was chosen as one of the princess’ attendants and Mr Fox stressed the choice was made on merit.

Mr Fox said: “I was the only one of the committee that knew of the special circumstances and I didn’t say anything to the other members of the committee so it didn’t influence the decision.

“She was treated just like any other candidate and was chosen on her own merits.”

Her mum said they were so happy Jade could enter.

Mum Shirley Ann said: “It is nice to see a smile on her face again after all that’s happened.”

Jade, who says she loves Bripdort because it is such a pretty and friendly town near the sea, was joined by fellow attendant Evangeline Abbott, 15, who has entered the competition a number of times before.

Evangeline, goes to Beaminster School, says she loves the excitement of the carnival with its lights and floats.

Hatti Amos, 11, from St Catherine’s School, was crowned junior princess after impressing judges with her bubbly personality and her mature confidence.

The girls will all get dresses and hairdos for the big day which takes place in August.