Tears welled in many an eye this afternoon when the daughter of much-respected Cromer stalwart the late Simon Hedge was chosen as the town's 2012 carnival princess.

Ellen Hedge, 11, from Cromer, was among a bumper crowd of 30 girl candidates taking part in the contest at Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre.

Her dad, Cromer Carnival vice chairman and a local firefighter, was tragically killed in a road accident six years ago this month, aged 37.

Ellen, a Cromer Junior School pupil, steps on to the same royal red carpet trodden by her mum Michelle, who was Cromer Carnival princess herself, in 1978.

Ellen was unable to enter the contest last year as Mrs Hedge was organising the event.

'I just wish her dad could have been here to see. He would have been so proud,' said Mrs Hedge, who watched the event with Ellen's younger brother David, nine.

A special 'little gem' category for girls aged six and under was created this year to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the title was won by Kelsie Horner, six, from Trimingham. Kelsie, who attends Cromer Infants' School, is a keen singer and dancer.

And 10-year-old Henry Butler, from Cromer, pipped five other candidates to take the prince's sash. Henry, a pupil at Cromer Junior School, loves swimming, surfing and riding his scooter.

The event was sponsored by Cromer Curtains and Linens whose owner, Jayne Bowyer, acted as one of the judges, together with North Norfolk Radio presenter Graham Lewis, and Katherine Strickland, deputy general manager of the pavilion theatre.

Sunday's successful trio join the rest of Cromer Carnival's 2012 royal family.

Cromer Academy school friends Faye Johnstone and Alice Digby were chosen as Cromer carnival's junior attendants at a selection event in the town's Cottage pub on Friday night from a dozen hopefuls.

Two would-be attendants had to pull out after being involved in a minor road accident on the way to the evening.

Faye, 12, and Alice, 13, were chosen by judges Gail Green from sponsors the King's Head, Tracey Bartlett from Hair Studio One and Richard Batson, from the North Norfolk News.

Alice is a keen singer and dancer and Faye plays the violin.

They join carnival queen Elsie Yiasimi and senior attendant Molly Downes.