A new rose queen and rosebud will blossom in Ashton Hayes on Saturday.

Gemma Conery, 12 and Maisie Bolton, eight, will receive their titles at the village’s Picnic in the Park event on July 9.

The two girls are to take centre stage in a crowning ceremony on the Queen Elizabeth II field at 1pm.

They will arrive in a vintage charabanc at the head of a flotilla of vehicles with their attendants, retiring queen India Forgrave and retiring rosebud Josie Fullerton.

Gemma, from Ashton Hayes, is a pupil at Bishops’ Blue Coat High School, Chester. She enjoys baking, art and looking after her many pets and she aspires to be a zoo keeper.

Rosebud Maisie, who attends Ashton Hayes Primary School, hopes to become a baker or a pop star when she grows up but for the time being she enjoys singing, drawing and baking.

After the crowning the Picnic in the Park will host a range of family activities with a BBQ, bar tent and refreshments.