A new queen has been chosen to lead Sheringham carnival's 'royal family', which, for the first time this year will include both a junior and a senior attendant.

Jade Roberts, 26, was picked for the top spot at a selection evening held at the Two Lifeboats Hotel, with Emma-Louise Glover, 20, taking on the role of attendant for the second year running.

The line-up will be completed in June, when a prince and princess and a junior attendant will be chosen at the annual carnival disco run by Ladybird Pre-school Nursery at the town's community centre.

Carnival committee vice-chairman Della McClean, who will share the job of chaperone with last year's queen, Lizzie Swanson, said that, after the second attendant chosen decided not to take up the role, she had hit on the idea of having a junior attendant.

'It seemed like an ideal opportunity to look at the structure of the carnival family and I think having a younger attendant will be a fantastic addition to the event,' she explained.

Single mum Jade, who lives at Baconsthorpe with sons Harley, 7, and Kai, 22 months, is looking forward to playing a part in the annual event she has loved since childhood.

'I've been to the parade every year since before I can remember,' she said. 'And although I am quite nervous about being queen, it is something I am really excited about.'

Brought up by her grandmother from the age of 14, family problems meant Jade left Cromer High School with few qualifications.

However, determined to build a career, she completed a young adults' learning course at Paston College before taking on an apprenticeship at Cromer's Hotel de Paris.

Jade went on to manage the Dunstable Arms pub at Sheringham, before taking a break from work to concentrate on family life.

Jade, who has, in the past, struggled with anxiety and depression, is now working on gaining social care qualifications and would eventually like to work with disadvantaged young people.

'Things haven't always been easy for me and I think when you have those experiences yourself, you are more able to relate to other people going through the same things,' she said.

Emma-Lousie, whose parents Kim and Chris are both carnival committee members, was delighted to be chosen as attendant after having a 'brilliant time' in the role last year.

The former Sheringham High School Sixth Form student is currently on maternity leave from her job as a waitress at the Two Lifeboats Hotel after having daughter Freya, who was born five weeks prematurely on March 4.

The tot, who spent two weeks in intensive care suffering from a form of meningitis and jaundice, came home four weeks ago and is now making great progress.

'I am really looking forward to the carnival, I enjoyed myself so much last time, I loved everything about it,' Emma-Louise said.

Sheringham carnival runs from July 30 to August 7. For more information, visit www.sheringhamcarnival.com