TWO photography students have been commended for capturing a long-established village celebration.

Lillie-Mae Bessant and Sam Lord were given the chance to snap to their heart’s content at Goostrey Rose Day.

The year 12 students from Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School mingled with the crowd at the sun-kissed festival.

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Tutor Matthew Turrell gave the teenagers permission to complete the assignment as part of their A Level studies.

Knutsford Guardian: Goostrey Rose Day rose queen Ella Wilford and rose bud queen Phoebe Sharman and their retinuesGoostrey Rose Day rose queen Ella Wilford and rose bud queen Phoebe Sharman and their retinues (Image: Sam Lord and Lillie-Mae Bessant)

Christine Burgess, chairman of Goostrey Rose Day, said: “We needed pictures for our own records as well as providing images for social media and local papers.

“We thought it would be nice to invite the school to send along two of their budding photographers.

“They did extremely well on what was a very hot and challenging day for them.

Knutsford Guardian: Maypole dancersMaypole dancers (Image: Sam Lord and Lillie-Mae Bessant)

“We were very pleased with the result and it will certainly gain them experience.”

Lillie-Mae, from Middlewich, who hopes to become a primary school teacher, said: “We are really pleased with the photographs.

“It is good that they will feature on the Rose Day website where people will be able to see them for years to come.”

Knutsford Guardian: Jesters entertain the crowdJesters entertain the crowd (Image: Sam Lord and Lillie-Mae Bessant)

Crowds lined Main Road to watch more than 200 children take part in a colourful procession.

A steam traction engine led a series of floats, walking groups and queens from other local villages.

Ella Wilford, 13, was accompanied by attendants Eleanor Stutfield and Nancy Napier as she was crowned rose queen by retiring queen Lucy Boardman.

Knutsford Guardian: South African pupils from the Elizabethfontein school in the processionSouth African pupils from the Elizabethfontein school in the procession (Image: Sam Lord and Lillie-Mae Bessant)

Children and teachers from the Elizabethfontein school in South Africa took part in the event for the sixth time since 2004.

The school, which is twinned with Goostrey Community Primary School, entertained the crown with their award-winning dancing.

Sam said: “It was a great assignment because there was so much to photograph.

“The procession was always moving which was challenging.”