PRETTY Romi-Jane Young became Accrington's 2007 Carnival Queen when she was crowned at a glittering gala night.
The 20-year-old, of Plantation Street, Accrington, who has dark brown hair and brown eyes, took the title from 25 other hopefuls at the event held at the Poplar Social Club, Accrington.
Romi-Jane, who lives with her mum Tracey and 14-year-old brother Daniel, has just started a new job on the Clinique make-up counter at Debenhams in Blackburn and hopes to start college in September to train as a beauty therapist.
She entered the competition after being encouraged by her mum.
She said: "I had been wanting to do it for a long time and my mum just said go for it. I wanted to try to achieve something in my life. This is the first time I have done anything like this.''
Romi-Jane, who has recently put together a modelling portfolio, was delighted to win.
She said: "I am over the moon, I did not know what to say. The judges and photographers on the evening were brilliant and so were the Lions and the Observer. I want to say thank-you to them and to my friends and family for their support."
Romi-Jane was cheered on by her mum and dad Shafiq Nasir, grandad, aunts and neighbours.
In second place was student Sarah Shackleton, 18, of Maple Crescent, Rishton, and third was care assistant Toni Ainsworth, 19, of John Street, Church.
The event, organised by the Accrington Lions in conjunction with the Observer, was a sell-out with over 200 people attending.
Romi-Jane will now lead the parade at the famous Accrington Carnival on Saturday 16 June, alongside the Carnival Princess, who is yet to be chosen.
She also won £400 and a weekend break for two, donated by the competition's main sponsors Fraser Eagle Cars of Accrington, a hair and make-up session from Fitzy's hair salon of Accrington, a bouquet from Garlands Florists of Oswaldtwistle and a voucher from Monte Cristo's Italian restaurant in Church.
Representatives of the sponsors and Observer editor Mervyn Kay were among the judges along with the the 2005 Carnival Queen Samantha Taylor.
