THE time has come to vote for Weymouth Carnival Queen 2012.

The competition is one of the highlights of the event and it is up to you to choose who wears the crown.

Over the years dozens of girls have battled it out to be queen for a day and to represent the borough for the following year.

This year is extra special as the girl chosen to be queen will be ambassador for Weymouth and Portland during a summer of Olympic events when the eyes of the world will be on the area.

The three finalists were selected at Banus nightclub on the Esplanade, organised by fundraising group Ladies Alive.

The bad weather failed to ruin the event despite only eight out of the 22 entrants being able to attend.

Three lucky girls now face a phone vote, run by the Dorset Echo, to see who will be crowned queen.

The winner will be crowned on carnival day, Wednesday, August 15.

A procession will be led by the finalists through the streets of the town watched by tens of thousands of people.

University graduate Lucy Compton, 21, claimed the crown last year and thoroughly enjoyed her year as carnival queen. Lucy said she had an amazing time as queen and would never forget the experience.

She said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to get involved in the local community.

“I had an amazing year so the three finalists should really make the most of it.

“I took part in the Christmas Day swim in my crown and switched on the lights at the Christmas Sparkle.”

As well as getting a front seat at all carnival events and leading the grand procession, the winner will receive lots of great prizes including a holiday, flowers and hair and beauty treatments.

Lucy was among the judges at the Banus, which also included Weymouth and Portland Borough Councillor Ryan Hope, who is also on the Weymouth Carnival Committee.

Organiser Georgina Grayson, of Ladies Alive, said: “Well done to everyone who came especially on such a terrible night with the weather.

“We ended up with three fantastic girls but it was a very difficult decision.”

Steve Davies, of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and James O’Neill, of Wessex FM, presented the night at the Banus which also saw a fashion show and dancing.

Elysia Munday, 21, grew up in the borough and dedicates much of her spare time to helping others.

She is now a retail manager at Littlesea Holiday Park after taking her A Levels at Weymouth College. Elysia, who lives with her parents in Norfolk Road in Westham, is battling to be Weymouth Carnival Queen for the fourth time.

She said: “I really would love the opportunity to help others. I do a lot of charity work through my work and in my spare time and I would like the chance to do more. I love Weymouth and have lived here all my life. I cried when I got into the final three. I would like the chance to give something back to the town.”

DEVON-born Hannah Derrick said she fell in love with Weymouth when she moved here more than a year ago.

Hannah, 21, of Chelmsford Street, Weymouth, is taking an actor training foundation course at Weymouth College.

She said: “I fell in love with the area and I would like the opportunity to give back to the community.

“I would give up any of my spare time for any worthy causes and I am happy that I got through to the final three.”

Hannah added that she would love to remain in Weymouth after her course ends.

Gina Hartley, 19, grew up in the borough and has taken part in the carnival for many years.

She works part-time at Asda while completing her Sport, Health and Fitness degree at Weymouth College as part of a Bath University course.

Gina lives, who lives in Clearmount Road in Weymouth, said the rest of her time was spent helping out in the community.

She added: “I have been in the carnival most years so this year I wanted to go for carnival queen.

“I really want to use it as a platform to show young people that there are many things to do in the area.”

AND HERE’S HOW YOU CAN ENTER By Phone: Call 0901151 adding the four digits under the picture of your choice. For example if it was 0380 you would like to vote for simply dial 0901151 0380.

By Text: Send your text to 80360 starting with QUEEN12 leave a space, followed by the four digits under the picture of your choice.

Calls cost no more than 51p per call from a BT Landline.

Calls from mobiles and some other networks may cost more. Texts cost 50p plus your normal operator text charge.

Telephone and text voting lines open 08/07/2012 and close 01/08/2012 at 23:59:59PM. For full terms visit newsquest.co.uk/terms Service Provided by Newsquest Media Group.