A RIBBLE Valley Rose Queen is hoping to raise money for the grandfather she never knew.

Norman Eccleston, the former headteacher at St Aidan's Primary School, Mill Hill, died at the age of 52 in 1991 before Caitlin Slater was even born.

Eleven-year-old Caitlin was crowned St Mary's Church in Mellor's Rose Queen earlier month, before a procession through the village accompanied by Charnock Richard Brass Band.

But she immediately ditched the pomp and has set herself a target to raise £1,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a charity which supports and cares for people such as her grandpa.

Mum Janet Slater said: "She has chosen Motor Neurone Disease Association as the charity she is going to support for the next 12 months.

"The reason being is that her grandpa died from Motor Neurone Disease back in 1991.

"It is a charity very close to the hearts of all the family.

"Norman lived for two and a half years after diagnosis, which is quite a long time for people who are diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

"Caitlin has seen some pictures of her granddad and she knows all about him. We are very, very proud of her.

"You get the chance to raise money as a Rose Queen and this seemed like the perfect charity to support."

Caitlin's grandma, 73-year-old Margaret, was in attendance as the new Rose Queen was crowned and Mrs Slater said it had been a 'very special' day.

The Year 6 pupil from Mellor St Mary's Primary School said: "I feel honoured to have been chosen as Rose Queen and as previous Rose Queens have done I have chosen a charity to support for the whole year.

"I will be raising money via cake sales, raffles, participating in the Manchester 5km Colour Run with my mum and my nine-year-old sister Alannah, and will be coming up with various other ideas over the course of the year.

"My primary school Mellor St Mary's Primary school has already kindly had a tuck shop at playtime to raise funds."