Emmaly Ring was last night crowned Dorchester Carnival Queen for 2007 after a phone and text vote through the Dorset Echo.

A student at the Thomas Hardye School, Emmaly, 18, hopes to become a hotel manager after completing her studies.

As carnival queen she will today help judge the entrants in the carnival procession before heading the procession as it winds its way through the streets of Dorchester from 6pm.

She will be attended today by runner-ups in the contest Stef Leonard and Natalie Kym Vinnicombe.

Chairman of the Round Table-organised carnival for 2007 Geoff Maskell said he hoped all three finalists would get involved in Round Table and other events in the town over the next 12 months.

"It should be a fun year for Emmaly and her attendants and we hope that they enjoy it.

"I would like to thank everyone who voted and helped raise money for Round Table charities," he said.

  • Don't miss your Carnival video on the Dorset Echo website - www.dorsetecho.co.uk from mid-day on Sunday.