THE Rock pub in Weymouth will be hosting a right royal affair to celebrate the spirit of carnival.

Owners Mark and Debbie Pollard are holding a reunion party for former carnival queens and their attendants on Friday, June 19.

Mrs Pollard’s daughter Lauren Browne, 23, a dental nurse in Dorchester, was queen in 2004 when she was aged 18.

“She absolutely loved it,” said Mrs Pollard. “It was the most exciting day a girl could have.”

The reunion will include a barbeque and live music from local band The Crack.

The party followsthe reinstatement of the carnival queen contest, after the organisers did a u-turn on a controversial decision to scrap it.

Mrs Pollard said: “Because of all the fuss over scrapping the carnival queen and because of the response from people coming forward to the Echo, we thought it would be a good idea to get a few of the former queens and their attendants together from over the years.

“We decided to have a party and keep the carnival queen spirit going.”

They also hope to raise some money through a raffle and other events, to go to a local worthy cause, yet to be decided.

Entry will be free and the party is open to everyone.

With the contest dating back to 1957 – when Pat Wardingham reigned, attended by Pearl Curtis and Elaine Condell – the party could potentially have more than 150 special guests.

Details from Mrs Pollard on 01305 784563.