A SIXTH-form student from Geldeston will be representing Beccles at events all over the area after she triumphed in this year's Miss Beccles competition.

A SIXTH-form student from Geldeston will be representing Beccles at events all over the area after she triumphed in this year's Miss Beccles competition.

Chantelle Harrison, 19, of The Street, was crowned Carnival Queen for 2009 last Friday at a well-attended event at Blyburgate Hall.

She will front the procession at this year's Beccles Carnival with Amy Crisp, 10, of St David's Close, Beccles, and Frankie Ling, of Princes Way, Earsham, who were voted in as Beccles Princesses for the year.

Chantelle, who studies psychology, law and PE at East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston, said: “I'm really pleased to have won. I hope I can do lots for the town. I didn't expect to win. I'm really surprised, I wouldn't have known who to pick!

“I'm looking forward to getting involved in the community and all of the aspects of the procession. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of new people.”

Chantelle and her princesses have a packed summer ahead of them, starting on June 14 with the Halesworth Carnival.

They will then be travelling to Diss Carnival on June 21, followed by the Beccles Hospital Fete on June 27 and the Lowestoft Carnival on August 9.

Then it's the Beccles Carnival on June 29 and 30, which will be held from 2pm to 6pm at Beccles Quay.

Chantelle, who said she was excited about the upcoming events, lives on a farm and is a keen horse rider, with her own horse named Lightning.

She also enjoys sports such as badminton and hockey, and likes to go to the gym. After college she plans to go to university to study law and PE.

At the end of the contest on Friday, last year's winner Jenny Williams bid an emotional farewell to her post.

She said that she particularly enjoyed the carnival procession in Beccles, where she was driven by horse and cart after her float was destroyed by vandals.

“I really enjoyed being the Queen and I'm really sad to be going,” she said. “I don't want to go! It's been a weird year - my float got destroyed, and all the rest, but it was replaced by horse and cart. It was absolutely lovely.

“I got such a buzz. Everyone's waving to you. It's really magical and you're really happy that you're supporting the community.”