SUMMER fun may seem a long way off at the moment, but St Annes Carnival organisers are already looking for this year's Carnival Queen.

And reigning "royal" Lindsey Smith can confirm it's certainly not just all about sitting on a float and waving.

"It was a dream come true to be picked as the carnival Queen," Lindsey told the Citizen.

"I had been part of the Queen's retinue before, so I sort of knew what would be expected of me."

Lindsey's reign began with a celebratory service last July at St Thomas's Church attended by the Mayor, members of the Carnival committee and the retiring queen.

Within a week she was at Bispham Gala, followed by Grange Park Gala and then, after a short holiday break, August saw Lindsey opening the Drive Methodist Church garden party.

She was well and truly booked up till Christmas with a never-ending stream of gala openings and hospital visits with the Mayor. Her diary is always full, but Lindsey always enjoys the challenge and she is particularly looking forward to the celebration of her church, St Thomas's, centenary in June.

Although this has been a tough year so far, Lindsey thinks that her previous work in the Queen's retinue stood her in good stead for her role.

"I think maybe I was a bit too young to take on all these duties, but I have coped really well," she said.

Although she will have to hand over her title at the next Carnival day, the small amount of sadness is outweighed by the chance to help to raise even more for local charities than the £2,600 raised last year.

In fact, it's the fund raising that seems to matter more to Lindsey than her title.

She may have met the Mayor and opened more fetes than Christopher Biggins, but the collection of charity cash is closest to Lindsey's heart.

"My favourite thing was raising the £100 Child Flight at the Cleveleys Jubilee Funday," she said.

If you have any ideas to help with this year's Carnival on July 8 then call Cheryl Little on (01253) 711722.

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