A HAEMATOLOGY specialist nurse at Musgrove Park Hospital has been crowned Miss Taunton.

Lucy Wheeler, who also takes the title Carnival Queen 2018, will represents the town's carnival committee at the carnival, Taunton Marathon and Half Marathon and the Deane DLO 10k race.

Somerset County Gazette:

Miss Taunton 2018 Lucy Wheeler.

The runner-up was full-time home maker and carer Carlie Perkins.

Lucy will be assisted by the new Carnival Princess, Mya Goodman, aged 11, a student at Taunton Academy - the two will also represent the county town at the South Somerset Federation Carnivals in Wellington, Chard and Ilminster.

Somerset County Gazette:

Carnival Princess Mya Goodman with runners-up Alice Jones and Grace North.

Runners up to Mya were nine-year-olds Alice Jones, who attends Trull Primary School, and Grace North, a pupil at North Town Primary School.

Meanwhile, Taunton Carnival Committee has donated £3,500 to various charities and local organisations following its fundraising efforts last year.

The main beneficiaries at the annual presentation evening at the Cooper Associates County Ground were carnival charity Love Musgrove and the marathon charity The Alzheimer's Society.

Committee chairman Marilyn House said: "We were very pleased we could give away that much as we were badly affected on carnival day by Storm Brian.

"Herculean efforts by the groups and individuals collecting on the night brought in £2,500, a wonderful result in the circumstances. Unfortunately this was around £1,500 down on the previous year.

"We collect the money from local people and try to put it back into the community through local groups who help us put on the marathon and half marathon, 10k and carnival. Without their help the events simply wouldn’t take place."

Other groups receiving donations were St John Ambulance, Taunton Athletic and Running Forever Running Clubs, Scout groups from Central, Staplegrove, Trull, West Monkton and Wilton, Blackbrook Guides, Bishop's Hull Army Cadets, Wellington Majorettes, Hamilton Football Club and Generations Carnival Club.

Treasurer Roz Swinburne said: "We give back 50 per cent of what collecting groups take in their tins on the night.

"It gives them a boost and helps the overall total. This year the CAB, TAH and Performing Arts braved the weather."

Taunton Carnival Committee is always looking for people to join and help organise the events each year. Anyone interested should get in touch by e-mail to info@tauntoncarnival.co.uk