New Tipton Carnival Queen crowned

Tipton's new Carnival Queen has been crowned after overcoming tough competition.

Bonnie-Leigh Staines, aged 18, from Hursey Drive, took the title at the annual contest at Brook Street Community Centre on Saturday.

Miss Staines, a former Alexandra High School pupil, works as an apprentice at Lola-Belles Day Nursery in Owen Street.

She said: "I was born in Tipton, I work in Tipton and I love my family and friends and life in Tipton so I was very keen to do it and contribute." She told compere Steve Downing, treasurer of Tipton Community Association, her hobbies were socialising with friends and she looked forward to helping with the carnival in future.

Miss Staines overcame competition from fellow hopefuls including beautician Paige Garrett, aged 18, and Katie Harper, 20, a student at Wolverhampton University.

Georgia Langford,14, from Alexandra High School, chalked up victory in the princess category. Kacey Horton, eight, was named rosebud, while four-year-old Ashton Cotton won the title of pageboy.