13-YEAR-OLD Charlotte Kenyon has been chosen as Knutsford’s May Queen for 2016.

The Year Nine Knutsford Academy student was awarded the title at the selection ceremony which took place at the school on Tuesday, January 26.

Charlotte, from Beggarmans Lane, was selected along with ladies in waiting Charlotte James, 12 and Esme Parry, 13.

“I am very excited,” said Charlotte. “I have been in the May Day festival every year since I was five years old.

“I have been in the court before and I was going this time just hoping that I would get something in the court again because it was so amazing last year. I was so shocked when I found out that I am going to be the May Queen.”

Charlotte will be crowned on Saturday, May 7 at the 152nd Royal May Queen festival surrounded by thousands of spectators.

She added: “It is really exciting especially because I used to look up to the May Queen so it will be nice to know that there will be people looking up to me, and obviously I am looking forward to the whole day itself.

“I am a little bit nervous but it’s mainly excitement. One of my close friends is lady in waiting and we were court ladies last year. All of the people that were in court with me last year are in again this year, and there are some new people too.”

Every year the committee hosts the selection process, and members of the public are invited to watch.

Eileen Podmore, joint secretary of the committee, said: “The kids in the festival are always real troupers. What we look for is that the girls are either 11, 12 or 13 and that they already live in the old urban district of Knutsford.

“All of the girls looked absolutely beautiful on the day, and fit to be the May Queen. Charlotte got the most votes and she was very calm and collected."