ENTRIES for this year's carnival queen have exceeded expectations and The Journal has decided to extend the closing date to cater for demand.Participants now have until next Friday, June 12, to register interest for the competition, which is set to be closely contended.

ENTRIES for this year's carnival queen have exceeded expectations and The Journal has decided to extend the closing date to cater for demand.

Participants now have until next Friday, June 12, to register interest for the competition, which is set to be closely contended.

The lucky winning girl will take away a whole host of prizes worth thousands of pounds and she will also benefit from a new bespoke crown made especially for the contest.

Jill Bryant, of Sugar Diamonds, is crafting a sparkling piece of headwear for the town's female ambassador to wear throughout the coming year at her various engagements.

The Journal's Carnival Queen will be selected on Sunday, June 28, at the town's Marina Theatre at a special pageant and she will represent the newspaper and the town at the carnival procession on Sunday, August 9.

We are looking for girls 16 and over who have got the personality and drive to do this. You could be a housewife, single mum, schoolgirl, married woman or student.

Shortlisted contestants will be given a free photographic sitting at Picture Studios, our main prize sponsor, in London Road North.

On the evening each girl will be treated to a makeover from Clinique, at Boots in Lowestoft, and every contestant is asked to bring an evening dress of their choice to wear.

Every year The Journal gives proceeds from the event to charity and this year the money will again go to the James Paget University Hospital Palliative Care Unit.

Tickets, at �5, are on sale now at the Marina box office on 01502 533200

To enter the contest, simply fill in the entry form in today's Journal, remembering to attach a recent photograph of yourself.