WESTHOUGHTON Carnival may not have gone ahead this year, but that did not stop royalty being crowned.

The traditional carnival has been held for more than 40 years, but was cancelled this year because it was attracting smaller crowds.

Jean Watkinson and Sandra Greenhalgh did not want to see all the traditions go - so they made sure the Carnival Queen and other royalty were still chosen.

On Sunday, the youngsters received their crowns at a summer fair held at Thurstons Residential Home, off Wigan Road, Westhoughton.

Judges had selected Lauren Delafield, aged 14, as Queen, and Lyndsay Greenhall, aged 14, as Junior Queen. The Princess was Holly Martin, aged nine; the Rosebud was Chloe Bellis, aged five; and the Pageboy was Ronan Bird, aged nine.

The crowning was performed by Westhoughton Mayoress Kath Gilfillan.

Organiser Mrs Watkinson said: "We wanted to carry on the tradition of the royalty even though the carnival wasn't going ahead.

"It was a wonderful day with the weather being so kind, and a lot of people came to support the event.

"The Thurstons residents loved every minute of it and we hope to do it again next year."