THE next Horwich carnival queen will NOT, after all, be a hunky man.

The BEN reported that Horwich carnival rules did not prevent males from putting themselves forward for the crown.

Organiser Judith Pollard had said anyone could apply providing they lived within the Horwich boundary - including men.

But the carnival committee has issued a statement saying Mrs Pollard had only been joking and it should have been obvious men would not be suitable as queens.

Barbara Ronson, a committee member, said: "The traditional carnival royalty in Horwich have been queen, junior queen, princess and rosebud and the titles have always been sufficient to indicate that the entrants should be young women and girls.

"The story in the paper has caused some concern to the carnival committee who invite judges to select the royalty in the tradition of all the other local carnivals."

She said the carnival committee was now introducing the role of pageboy for boys aged four to 11.

Mrs Ronson revealed the committee had even considered cancelling this year's selection or even the carnival itself, but decided to go ahead.

She added: "The final decision has been made to introduce the role of pageboy in line with some of the other carnivals to allow male entrants whose hopes have been falsely raised.

"Older boys and men will find plenty of other roles available in the carnival and are welcome to contact the committee with their ideas."

The selection of the carnival royalty will take place on March 8. They will parade on Sunday, June 28.

For more information contact Christine on 01204 699772 or Judith on 01204 403739.

For any other inquiries about the carnival contact Barbara Ronson on 01204 695742.

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