ENTRIES have already begun to flood in for the Weymouth Carnival Queen contest after it was saved from the scrapheap.

Carnival organisers, the Weymouth Community Volunteers, axed the contest earlier this year but performed a u turn after an outcry.

Now the Ladies Alive fundraising group, which organises the Carnival Queen contest, says entries have already started to arrive.

Georgina Grayson, from Ladies Alive, said: “We have had about 15 entries so far.

“We had 28 entrants last year and we want to get at least as many this year.

“We will really be pushing in the last three weeks.”

She added: “After the outcry when the queen was scrapped, we really want people to support the event and show everyone how much it is wanted.”

The Carnival Queen selection night is being held at Banus on Friday, July 17 at 7.30pm. Entrants must register beforehand.

Ladies Alive has sent our thousands of flyers and entry forms to pubs, clubs, hairdressers, beauty salons and clothes shops.

There are a host of prizes on offer. They include a holiday for two in Magaluf, flowers for a year from Fiona Penny, £100 in New Look vouchers, a pamper day from Tracy Ironside Beauticians, nails for a year from Techniques and hair for a year from Iroka.

The prize haul also includes a meal at Enzo, a photo session with Matt Harris, £100 tReds vouchers, an iPod Shuffle from Alexandra Gardens, a perfume set from Debenhams, a dress from Bridal and Ball and a meal at the Rock.

Local businesses have also provided sponsorship to buy the holiday and dresses.

Mrs Grayson added: “People have been incredibly generous.

“Again, it shows that a lot of people do want this competition to go ahead.”

There are also prizes for the runners-up. Entrants must be aged 18 or above. There is no upper age limit. Pick up a flyer in Weymouth town centre and from the Banus nightclub.

By James Tourgout » Dorset Echo