Miss Beccles competition opens ahead of town's carnival

The competition is looking for girls and boys aged between eight and 14-years-old for the role of Beccles Prince and Princesses, and for females aged 17 to 40-years-old for Miss Beccles.

Miss Beccles and her three attendants have been part of Beccles Carnival for more than 50 years, and the winning contestants will represent the town at the carnival on the weekend of August 17 and 18.

They will also attend various functions, fundraisers and fetes and travel to other carnivals across East Anglia throughout the year.

2023's Beccles Carnival Queen Miranda Hyde. (Image: Beccles Carnival)READ MORE: Do these old carnival photos from Beccles, Bungay and Lowestoft bring back memories for you?

The competition is being staged at 2pm on Sunday, May 26, at Hungate Hall in Beccles. Entry to watch the new crowning will be £3 per person.

Annette Tackley, one of the carnival organisers, said: "We cannot stress enough that it is not a beauty contest - all contestants will be judged on their personality, poise, and dress sense.

"We are looking for girls and boys that will represent the town and do it proudly at various events during the forthcoming year.

"The competition is open to all, so if you have a sister, daughter, mum, or friend who you think has what it takes to be Miss Beccles 2024, then get them to enter."

To enter you must live within 10 miles of Beccles, live, go to school or work in the town.

Entries for this year's event close on Monday, May 20, application forms available from www.becclescarnival.co.uk 

READ MORE: 'Proud' mum-of-one becomes town's new carnival queen

Last year's winner was Miranda Hyde, who works in the NHS and is a PhD student.

The two Beccles Carnival princesses were Jaimia Woolnough, 10, and Phoebe Jackson, eight.

Making up the quartet of town ambassadors was carnival prince Lionel-John Richards, aged nine.