A MIDDLEWICH schoolgirl will flower from a princess into a queen after being chosen for the leading role in the town’s rose fete.

Current Rose Princess Jodi Walton, who lives in Windsor Close, only discovered she had been selected as Middlewich’s Rose Queen earlier this month.

The 11-year-old Cledford Primary School pupil said she was ‘really, really happy’ to lead the retinue for this year’s parade and crowning, which forms part of the town’s Folk and Boat (FAB) celebrations, on Saturday, June 16.

“I am looking forward to representing Middlewich as queen,” she said.

“I am a bit nervous but excited at the same time.

“We have got to design my dress and this year, I am going to have a white one with red roses on it.”

Jodi added that her sister Paige, seven, would be a source of support on her big day as attendants in the fete.

Mum Kerry Wilkinson said: “Jodi absolutely loves the fete, especially the dresses.

“The bigger dress the better.

“As soon as she was asked to be this year’s Rose Queen, she was jumping around the living room.

“She just assumed she was going to be the retiring princess and hand over to the new princess.”

Last month, we reported that festival organisers were still searching for a Jubilee Rose Queen to complete Middlewich Rose Fete’s royal retinue.

Town Mayor Sonya Edwards, chairman of the rose fete committee, said: “We thought, it’s not going to seem right without a main crowning.

“We wanted someone who had not been queen and it just seemed like an ideal thing to do.

“Jodi was princess and it is like stepping up a gear.”

She added: “I just want to wish her well.

“I am sure she will represent the town to her utmost ability and I hope she enjoys the year, especially this being a Jubilee year and an Olympics year.

“It’s also very special with the FAB and Second World War festivals - Jodi is going to have a fantastic year and I just want to wish her well and good luck.”

Congratulate Jodi at middlewichguardian.co.uk.