Three lucky girls – the princess and her two attendants – will take centre stage at next month's carnival, when they will front a parade of floats through the streets of Soham on to the recreation ground.

Carnival organisers, the Soham Benevolent Association, will award the winning princess a £40 cash prize and a trophy.

The attendants will each receive £25. All three girls will also have sashes to wear on the day.

Budding princesses must be aged between seven and 12 and live or go to school in Soham.

They must be able to take part in the carnival parade on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25.

A heavy horse show will start the event at 9am followed by the parade between 1pm and 1.45pm.

Schools, clubs, businesses and other organisations are invited to enter a float for the chance to win a cash prize and trophy in various categories.

Other activities throughout the day include Cyril the Squirrel Terrier Racing in the main arena, a vintage and classic vehicle show, fun fair, sports races, birds of prey display and a Punch and Judy show.

There will also be children's entertainment and live music.

For a chance of being crowned princess, send in a recent picture of yourself with your full name, date of birth, name of the school you attend, your address and daytime telephone number to: Soham Carnival Princess Competition, Newmarket Journal, Rookery House, 40 The Guineas, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8SY.

The closing date for entries is Monday, May 11.