This year’s Miss Whitstable has finally been found - after another poorly attended selection event.

Whitstable made headlines last month after not a single girl entered the search for the 2018 carnival queen – prompting organisers to allow boys to enter for the first time in 121 years.

The decision divided local opinion with some branding it “political correctness gone mad”, while others welcomed the change, which they said points to a more modern, progressive carnival.

Following the widely publicised decision, four people signed up to join a second selection event – including one boy.

But only one person turned up.

Jade Rafferty, 15, was crowned Miss Whitstable at the event, which was attended by carnival courts from Dover and Minster.

“She was going to come to the first selection, but all of the nasty remarks on Facebook put her off initially,” said Whitstable Carnival secretary Carol Simmons.

A 14-year-old boy was also due to join the Sunday selection – where he could have become the town’s first male court member in more than a century.

But, Mrs Simmons explained, he was discouraged by negative comments from other boys.

“He told his friends what he was going to do, and they mocked him mercilessly,” she said. “And he backed out.

“It’s sad to hear, really. If he was brave enough to do it and sit on the float he would have been fine, but he told his friends and they discouraged him.

“Two other girls were supposed to come but they didn’t arrive, so maybe all the comments have put them off as well.

“It’s such a shame, because the people who commented know nothing about carnival whatsoever.

“Lots have just moved down here, and haven’t been brought up with carnival.

“They still think it’s a beauty pageant, and that the girls parade around and the kind of thing, but they don’t.”

Whitstable carnival will take place on Saturday, August 4.

If you are interested in taking part in the carnival parade, call 01227 262925.