Carnival Queen abdicates

Mystery surrounds the sudden resignation of teenage carnival queen Kerry Ann Middleton. Miss Herne Bay Kerry Ann, 17, was abruptly replaced at the weekend.  Carnival organisers would only say there were "personal reasons" behind her resignation.

Kerry Ann, who goes to Canterbury College, refused to comment and her grandmother Lynne Hawkes, who Kerry lives with, insisted:

"We have no wish to make any statement. It is due to family reasons."

Chairman of the Herne Bay Carnival Association Andy Birkett told the Times:

"Herne Bay Carnival Association accepted the resignation of Miss Herne Bay Kerry Ann Middleton due to personal reasons. Having checked back on the judges' marks from the Easter selection dance we are pleased to announce that Ria Davis has accepted the title of Miss Herne Bay."

She will be joined by elected princess Eloise Acton and Aurora Summers. Aurora, a 15-year-old Herne Bay High School pupil, said:

"I am really pleased to be joining the carnival court."

The girls' first official function will be to open Reculver CE Primary School summer fair in Sweechbridge Road, Hillborough, at noon this Saturday. Herne Bay carnival parade is on Saturday, August 13.

HB Times 30th Jun 2011