MONTHS of detective work are finally paying off for the organisers of a nostalgia-themed Northwich Carnival.

This year’s event will celebrate 50 years since the Beatles crowned the carnival queen.

Barbara Turner, committee president and secretary, was keen to mark the golden anniversary by tracking down the queen and her retinue from 1963 and inviting them to this year’s carnival, on July 6.

After months of digging she has finally found the 1963 carnival queen, Kathryn Millington, who was living in Chester.

“It’s been a real detective job and we’re over the moon that we’ve found her,” Barbara said.

“She had re-married and changed her name so we had been looking for someone with a different name.”

Barbara last met up with Kathryn in 1988 to celebrate the 25th anniversary since the Beatles’ appearance but then they lost touch.

The committee eventually tracked her down through the world of social media, when her cousin commented on a picture on Facebook.

The majority of that year’s retinue, which included Barbara herself as a 10-year-old maid of honour, have also been found and will be coming to the carnival, as well as a reunion planned for this month.

Barbara said: “We’ve got so many pictures and memoribila to share that we thought we should have a get-together beforehand.

“We’ve also had replies from the retiring retinue from that year – we’ve been looking for the 1963 retinue but the 1962 retinue were there and on that stage too.

“We’ve got a lady from Bristol coming up and a lady from Warrington who said it was her father who picked the Beatles up and drove them to the field.

“I always thought they went to the Grey Parrot for lunch but they actually went to a house in Leftwich estate where George Harrison’s auntie lived.

“We’ll have a lot to natter about at the reunion.”

The carnival committee is still looking for the 1963 crown bearer John Buckley and train bearer Julie Hatton.

Anyone who can help, or anyone from the 1962 retinue who is interested in coming to this year’s carnival, should ring Barbara on 01606 76113.

• Northwich Carnival will begin with a parade leaving Old Warrington Road at 1pm on July 6.