A TEENAGER has followed in her mother’s footsteps to become Barnard Castle Meet’s carnival queen.

Hundreds lined the market town’s main street for the annual Meet parade before enjoying live music, stalls and the World Rubber Chicken Chucking Competition in the castle grounds.

Carnival queen was 15-yearold Emma Fell from the town, whose reign, which began a few days ago, has involved her performing a number of official duties.

Her mother, Joanne, was carnival queen in 1988 and Emma was an attendant to the queen four years ago.

She said: “I have wanted to be carnival queen for a long time so to finally be here is just amazing. I have loved every minute of it.

“The highlight has to be being driven in a fancy car in the grand parade, that was very nice.

“I know my mum really enjoyed being the queen so it’s great I can follow her example.”

As well as being in the grand parade, Emma has also been guest of honour at some of the other Meet events and visited residents at the Charles Dickens Care Home in the town.

“That was really special because it was nice to meet and include those people who could not come out to take part in the full celebration.”

Emma, who will attend several other events this year in her official capacity, had three attendants, Britty Farren, Leah Graham and Anna Maughan.

The grand parade, which started at the GlaxoSmith- Kline car park before heading through the town centre, featured marching bands, theatrical groups, four women on mobility scooters and a stream of floats.

They included a freakshow, a replica of the Titanic made by the Friends of Green Lane Primary School, a Bugsy Malone scene and a farmyard featuring adults and children dressed as chicks.

The first Meet was held in the town in 1879 and other attractions this year included an exhibition of photographs from previous meets, a zip wire across the River Tees and a street party.