NINETEEN-year-old Yasmin Abdulla, pictured, was crowned yesterday as Pill's 2003 Carnival Queen.

Her attendant on carnival day on August 25 will be runner-up Khali Davies, also 19.

Over 40 other young contestants turned out for the contest, at Pillgwenlly Millennium Centre, Newport, all hoping to be chosen to ride on the main float with the carnival queen.

As well as finding their queen and her attendant, judges picked Abbi Wysome, aged five, from Pill and Paige Whiting, aged eight, of Caerleon Road, Newport, as flower girls.

Sasha Mockbill and Francesca Porretta, both 13 and from Pill, were chosen as court ladies and the page boys will be Jordan Nasser and Kaleel Abbes, both aged five and from Pill.

Capital Gold Radio DJ Tony Wright was on hand to introduce all the entrants.

Yasmin received £50 cash and will have a makeover and glamour photographs taken at Olan Mills in Newport.

Sandra Bryan, treasurer of the Pill Carnival Committee, said: "We're hoping the carnival will be bigger than last year's with up to 5,000 people due to attend.

"It's a real symbol of the heritage of Pill and brings a lot of pride to the area."