By Giselle Buckingham
Last year's Princess Leigh Sinden has been crowned the 2010 Folkestone Carnival Queen at the Selection Evening at the Grand Burstin Hotel on Sunday (7 March).

The Senior Court Princesses are Emily Carey from Hawkinge and Hannah Garton.

Grace Harrison was selected Junior Miss Folkestone with Junior Princesses Millie Hoe and Polina Rudichenko, and Jenny Roderick as the Rosebud

More than 40 girls entered the 3 contests, with the juniors having 28 contestants.

The Judges were, Sasha Buckingham, who holds the Miss European title, Julie Sarjeant, Jodie Pearce and Emma Finch who are all European Princesses, Megan Macormack a former Miss Folkestone, Paula MaCormack , a European Judge and Jade Barrett who is a member of the Court of Kent Queen.

Even these experts found the task daunting, but it was a fantastic evening, a rollercoaster of emotions, the outgoing court of Leah Gorman, Charlotte Poulton and Leigh Sinden were amazing giving really heartfelt and very funny outgoing speeches.

Their last curtsy to the Mayor of Folkestone broke with a 100 year old tradition and put their own stamp on their last formal event.

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2010