SASKIA Pinnington has been chosen as Knutsford’s May Queen for 2010.

The 12-year-old was awarded the title at the selection ceremony at the Civic Centre, in Toft Road, last Tuesday.

“I was shocked and overwhelmed when they told me,” said Saskia, of Spinney Lane.

“But I’m really happy and I’m really happy for everyone else who was chosen.

“I’m excited about the big day, especially the crowning, and I’m very much looking forward to representing Knutsford.”

Around 200 people watched the ceremony and cheered when Saskia’s name was called out of a shortlist of 18.

She will now be crowned on May 1 at the 145th Royal May Queen Festival surrounded by thousands of revellers.

During the event, Ken Gresty, who has been chairman of the May Day committee for 20 years, said: “It’s nice to see the candidates with the queen looking so cheerful.

“What’s pleasing is the big round of applause at the end. You worry the festival will fade away and people will become fed up of it.

“But each year we get massive support and it makes you feel it’s worth doing it.”

Hannah Cotton, 13, and Olivia Weatherby, 12, who was recently in the Guardian for appearing on the BBC show Beat The Boss, are this year’s ladies-in-waiting.

Meg Norbury, 12, Poppy Thompson-Smith, 12, Hannah Evans, 13, and Jenni Downs, 12, were selected as court ladies.

The maids of honour are Lucy Glasby-Seddon, nine, Shayna Horth, eight, Bree Livesey, eight, Jasmine Dines, nine, Anassa O’Neill, nine, and Hannah Lea, eight.