Fresh new faces have been selected to represent Deal for the year ahead after Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown Regatta Association chose its new carnival court on Saturday.

The selection event was held at Deal Welfare Club and was “among the most contested yet,” according to DWKRA’s chairman John Trickey.

Chantelle Rowley, 15, is now Miss Deal after taking the title of senior regatta queen.

She heads the senior court, which is made up of senior princesses Demi Johnson, 13, and Claudia Cousin, 13.

Retiring queen Lucy Friend is Chantelle’s deputy for the year.

Nine-year-old Millie McCairn was crowned junior queen with princesses Phoebe Ireland and Shannon Cartwright.

The deputy junior queen is Phoebe Clifford, nine. While six-year-old Shannon Gregory took the title of Rosebud Queen.

The 2014 Carnival will be held in Deal on Thursday, July 31.

Mr Trickey added: “This year we are really going for it. Already the sponsors are coming in”

The new court is gearing up for its first official event on Saturday, at Minster’s selection night.