WOMEN have a chance of being queen for a day at the new look Weymouth Carnival 2010.

In fact, the winner of the Weymouth Carnival Queen contest will be the face of the borough for a year and be presented with some fabulous prizes.

Three finalists will be selected at a ceremony next Friday evening and organisers are keen to get the word out to the adult female population of Weymouth and Portland.

There has been a ‘reasonable’ response so far to the competition, say organisers Ladies Alive.

As well as being treated to a front seat at the carnival on Wednesday, August 18 and leading the procession, the winner scoops some top prizes, including a holiday for two.

There’s also a year’s worth of pampering with hairdressing, nails and beauty treatments, clothes and dining vouchers, plus ball gowns.

Promotional cards with entry forms have been distributed to businesses and entrants are urged to return the cards with their details to Banus nightclub by next Thursday.

The only stipulations for entry are that the entrants must be a resident of Weymouth and Portland and aged over 18. The three finalists will be put to a public vote through the Dorset Echo and the winner will be announced on carnival day and crowned on the balcony of The New Vic.

The competition was scrapped last year by previous carnival organisers in favour of a community champion award but was reinstated after a public outcry.

Georgina Grayson, of Ladies Alive, said it had been a good decision to bring back the carnival queen.

She said: “If anything it’s a lot of fun which is what life is supposed to be about.

“It’s also an important element and a traditional part of Weymouth Carnival because the queen heads the procession.”

She added: “Personally I’d like to see some 30- and 40-somethings take part.

You don’t have to be a young woman to enter.

“Let’s see more mature ladies taking part to have a chance of representing their town.”

Current carnival queen Nina Rezaei said: “I would say to anyone who is thinking about entering the competition to just go for it.

“You never know – you might win.”

* For carnival queen information call Georgina Grayson at Banus on 01305 778969.