IN its heyday, the annual Cirencester Carnival was an essential part of civic and social life in the town, writes Robert Heaven.

Every July, thousands would line the streets to first watch a procession of decorated floats then follow to the carnival field for displays, competitions and fairground rides.

The event that formed the core of the carnival was the competition each year to find a local girl to crown as Carnival Queen.

Over the years the Queen changed to fairy princess and by 1994, with a nod to political correctness, princes were added too.

Hundreds of young hopefuls between the ages of about 8 and 12 entered these competitions, each of which were individually photographed by the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard for the judges to select the finalists.

In many of these photos, a child looks towards the camera with hope in their eyes, hope that they will be the one girl from the hundred or so chosen to wear a crown, be carried in procession though rapturous crowds, to sit in splendour with attendants handing out prizes and being photographed with gold chain-wearing dignitaries.

I think they really were queens and princesses, every one of them the pride of Ciren’s youth.

The pictures are assembled from a variety of sources and include carnivals from the 1930s to the 1990s. Can you spot someone you know? Let us know: news@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk. We have included names where we have them.