NINE-year-old Samantha Durdey has been chosen as Skipton's 2016 Rosebud Queen.

A pupil at the town's Christ Church School, she was selected after gala organisers met at the Rendezvous Hotel and spent an afternoon chatting to the young applicants, who ranged from six to 11 years old.

The attendants are fellow Christ Church student Rosie May Marren, nine, and ten-year-old Emily Crossley, a Parish Church School student.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Sarah Haynes said: “Our independent judges said that the decision was really quite difficult this year, as all the girls were so lovely, friendly and confident. Each one had something that made them stand out, something special, which made the decisions so much harder.

"But we know that Samantha will make a wonderful Rosebud Queen and that Rosie May and Emily will be the perfect team to support her and help her enjoy her year as Rosebud Queen.”

Samantha will be crowned on Gala Day – Saturday, June 11 – by the retiring rosebud queen Abigail Ledger and her other duties will include appearing at Colne Gala, also in June, and laying a wreath at Skipton War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

There will also be several other fundraising appearances throughout the year when Samantha will be accompanied by the gala mascot, Skippy, the Skipton Kangaroo.