AN ARMY Reservist is set for her next big adventure after she was named winner of the new Miss Weymouth competition and with it, Weymouth Carnival Queen 2014.

Emma Whitbread, 25, scooped the top title during a glittering ceremony at the Riviera Hotel.

As well as being a glamorous ambassador for Weymouth all year round, Emma will be this year’s Weymouth Carnival Queen on Wednesday, August 20.

Her attendants on the day will be Sophie Watson, winner of Teen Miss Weymouth, and Junior Miss Weymouth winner Amber Puckett.

Miss Weymouth is a new event devised by 2014 Weymouth Carnival chairman Elysia Munday, with the support of others.

The contest aims to breathe life into the old format of the carnival queen competition, encouraging people to enter who may have felt restricted in the past. Women of all shapes, sizes and ages were encouraged to enter and a total of 20 took part on the night.

Judges were Matt Smith from Weldmar, Lee Armstrong from the carnival committee, current carnival queen Gina Hartley, Mayor and Mayoress Ray Banham and Pam Nixon and former carnival chairman and queen, Lucy Compton.

The Miss Weymouth winner will participate as usual in the carnival but will also act as a town ambassador throughout the year, getting involved in community projects and helping to raise money for charity.

There were different awards to be won at the Miss Weymouth choosing night, and as well as being the overall winner, Emma received gongs in the ‘personality’ ‘charity’ and ‘top fundraiser’ categories.

Emma, who has a seven-year-old son, and works as the PR ambassador for Sainsbury’s in Weymouth, said: “I’m very, very happy to have won.

“This was my fourth year of applying to be in the carnival queen competition and I really enjoyed the new format of Miss Weymouth. It was a really good night and a great atmosphere.”

Emma is in the Army Reserves, serving with the Royal Wessex Yeomanry based at Bovington.

All Miss Weymouth contestants were encouraged to raise money for the nominated charity of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and Elysia Munday said £1,105 was raised from the girls doing different things like selling handmade soaps, abseiling, sponsored silences and walk.

She said: “They are all amazing girls. I am so proud of all those who took part. They each did a fabulous job of presenting themselves.”