IF THE name of this year's Corfe Mullen carnival princess has a familiar ring to it, then don't be surprised - because her mum held the honour 16 years ago.

Ten-year-old Emily Bowtell will follow in the footsteps of mum Jane, 33, when she officially launches the village carnival on June 9.

"I am so excited - I told two of my friends but they didn't believe me at first," said Emily, a pupil at Lockyers Middle School.

"I have been in the carnival before, but that was on a float, not as carnival princess."

Mum Jane still has the Daily Echo newspaper cuttings from her appearance as carnival queen - as it was known in 1989 - and admits she cannot wait to see her daughter lead the procession.

"The memories from that day are very clear to me, I absolutely loved it and am very proud of Emily," she said.

Emily was chosen from more than 30 youngsters to represent the village.