A 16-year-old Abercarn girl spoke of her excitement as she gears up to feature as the queen of Saturday's Blackwood Carnival.

Former Oakdale Comprehensive School pupil Donna Weston said: "I was in the parade last year as a princess and I really enjoyed being involved in such a big event in the community. But, I'm really excited I'll be the queen this year."

Ms Weston, who will start a public services course at Ystrad Mynach College in September lives on Bridge Street, Abercarn with parents Helen and Kevin and has two siblings, Martine, 21 and Leighton, 19.

She beat around 30 other hopefuls in winning the honour of leading the parade and will be joined by her court ladies Lauren Edwards, Ashleigh Evans, Hannah Watkins, Daisy Wilkins, Natalie Rees, Olivia Turley and Caitlin Tapper.

The parade will make its way down the high street from the northern end at noon next Saturday and will feature samba band Mania de Samba, Sling Shot Street Band, Cefn Fforest and Cascade Royals jazz bands, motorbikes, scooters, vintage cars, buses, vans and floats manned by local people and organisations dressed as characters from films.

This year's theme is At the Movies, with all the procession acts performing at the carnival field outside the Civic Centre, Pontllanfraith.

There will also be a funfair, Punch and Judy show, tae kwondo, tortoises, owls and over 40 stalls.