ROSE Day supporters will be walking the plank this year as the organisers of the major community event offer something new for 2018.

The plank walking race takes place at Goostrey Rose Day on Saturday, June 30, the highlight of which will be the crowning of teenager Samantha Drucker.

Teams of plank walkers will step up and compete at this year’s community celebrations.

Teams of four from across the village are busy practicing for a race around a fun course on specially-designed planks.

The annual Goostrey Rose Day, believed to be the largest village event of its kind in the area, will see 13 year-old Samantha Drucker crowned as the 2018 Rose Queen.

Samantha has lived in Goostrey for three years and is a student at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School.

She will have four attendants - Polly Clayton, Francesca Fairhurst, Grace Hey and Ellisse Nasry.

The Rose Bud Queen will be Kate Pearson with Isla Machin as her Lady in Waiting.

There will be five attendants, Gabriella Ashbrook, Scarlet-Rose Challiner, Tilly Foster, Briana Hamilton and Isla Kingsbury.

This year’s Rose Day president will be William Ollier, who served on the committee for many years and who is one of the main organisers of Goosfest, the annual arts festival which is held in the village every autumn.

More than 200 children will take part in the procession from Booth Bed Lane to the school field, which will start at 1pm. The crowning ceremony will begin at 2pm.

Chairman of the Rose Day committee Christina Burgess said: "Rose Day, which dates back well over 100 years, is a very special occasion for the village of Goostrey, and so we are delighted that, yet again, so many children and young people want to be involved.

“Every year we try and come up with something different, and I am sure the plank walking race will be fun for those taking part and will certainly entertain the crowds.”

Goosfest runs from October 5 to 22, and highlights include comedy with Barry Cryer and Colin Sell, music from The Christians, a joint event with The Royal Geographical Society featuring explorer Benedict Allen and a 60s evening with The Revolvers.