A PROUD May Queen will not let her disability get in the way of leading spring fayre celebrations in front of 5,000 people.
Francesca Warren, ten, will perform the ceremonial role at Banstead May Fayre next month.
Francesca, who is autistic, is relishing her moment in the spotlight.
"People with autism tend to have a lot of social difficulties. The last thing they would generally want to do is be noticed by anybody," said her mum Melanie, from Gerald's Grove in Banstead.
"They are always the wallflowers.
"Francesca has lots of problems with her speech and has issues with social skills. But despite her difficulties, she is a complete and utter show-off and isn't fazed by her disability at all.
"Her attitude is 'my talking is broken, but other people have got broken things too'.
"It is something to be proud of; she has a disability but she is making the best way through it she can."
Mrs Warren says Francesca may be Britain's first autistic May Queen – she cannot find evidence of any others.
Francesca, who goes to Warren Mead Junior School in Banstead and hopes to go to Limpsfield Grange in Oxted in September, has nominated the YMCA has her chosen charity for the May Fayre, which takes place on May 4.
"She is very proud of the fact she is going to be helping the Banstead YMCA," said Mrs Warren.
"She knows that is the main reason. Every girl wants to dress as a princess and feel special and ride in a horse-drawn carriage, but she absolutely loves the YMCA and wants to see this money put to good use."
More than 2,000 people will join Francesca in the parade along Banstead High Street, in front of around 5,000 fayre-goers.
She will be joined by schools, church groups, marching bands, cheerleaders, juggling jesters and Morris men. Francesca will be accompanied by her princess, who this year is Bethany Davies, her attendants and Robin Hoods. She will be crowned at the culmination of the parade in the All Saints Church orchard at around noon.
The fayre also features stalls and displays, running from 10am until 4pm.
The Banstead Community Games, featuring everything from tennis to trampolining, will also be held at the Lady Neville Recreation Ground in Park Road from 10am until 4pm.
For further information, go to www.bansteadmayqueen.co.uk
