JENNY Warburton has been named as Knutsford Royal May Day Queen elect for 2013.

Jenny, aged 13, who was a court lady in last year’s festival, was awarded the title at the selection ceremony at Egerton Youth Club on Saturday.

She will now be crowned on the Heath – and take on the role from current May Queen Lakeisha Bradbury – on May 4 at the 149th Royal May Queen festival, surrounded by thousands of revellers and well-wishers.

Dylan McCourt, 14, was named as crown bearer, while Amy Siwek and Lucy Glasby-Seddon, both 12, were selected as ladies-in-waiting.

This year’s court ladies will be Shayna Horth, Emilia Russell, Jasmine Dines, Celine Barclay, with Rachel Moonan, 12, as Maid Marion.

The youngsters who were named Maids of Honour were Lucy Howarth, nine, Charlotte Barker, eight, Libby Young, nine, Eva Marie Jones, eight, Katie Chaplin, nine and Amber Houghton, nine.

Anne de Ruiter, secretary of Knutsford Royal May Day committee, said there were more girls to chose from than in recent years.

“We had a good afternoon, and everything went really smoothly,” she said.

“We had 25 girls for the Queen, which is a lot higher compared to recent years. We’ve normally had 17 or 18, and 25 is a lot, but it is a good number. It’s also a good thing and shows the event is really strong.

“There were around 50 or 60 of the little ones, and that’s one of the hardest jobs as we can only select six.”

Knutsford Royal May Day is a charity, and if you want to raise funds for it contact Anne at 01270 500537.

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