Today the Accrington Observer is looking for the bonniest boy and most gorgeous girl as we launch our ever-popular Baby of the Year competition.
We are again looking for two winners, a boy and a girl, to take the title for 2012 – the paper’s 125th anniversary.
The parents of the two winners, voted for by readers, will each receive a sitting for a framed 20in x 16in family portrait worth £360 from the Garth Dawson Studio and, new to this year, a special trophy. And everybody wanting to enter can get their child’s portrait taken at the studio.
Observer editor Gareth Tidman said: "The baby competition is one of the most popular features in the paper and parents take it very seriously.
"It’s great to see it back and good luck to all the youngsters entering."
The competition is open to children aged five and under.
All you have to do is ring the Garth Dawson Studio on 01254 231802 to arrange to have your child photographed on one of the days set aside for entries.
The last day for a studio appointment is Sunday, March 25, and interest is sure to be sky-high, so you are advised to book your appointment as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
You must then take your child along with the completed entry form on page 5 of the Observer dated March 9 – no photocopies allowed. Once the pictures are taken they can be viewed and bought at the studio.
You can also submit your own entry to us by email. Send photos with name, address, gender, birth date and age to: babyoftheyear@menmedia.co.uk putting 'Accrington Observer' in the subject box. Photos should be head and shoulders shots.
Our readers will be the competition judges. There will be two semi-finals, one for boys and one for girls, with those entrants with the most votes going through to a boys’ final and a girls’ final.
Your baby could emulate the success of last year’s winners, Ocean Tiara Newton and Dylan Elhasham.
The closing date for entries submitted by email is Monday, April 23. Entries received after this date will not be counted.
You must be the parent or guardian of the child to enter them into the competition.
The child and parent/guardian will be required to participate in promotional and media activity in relation to this promotion.
The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into. Usual Trinity Mirror rules apply. For a full list please write to competitions at the postal entry address.
Sessions are available to book now on the following days: Tuesday, March 13, 9.30am-11.30am; Thursday, March 15, 9.30am-11.30am; Saturday, March 17, 9.30am-11.30am; Tuesday, March 20, 1pm-3pm; Friday, March 23, 1pm-3pm; Saturday, March 24, 9.30am-11.30am and 1pm-3pm; Sunday, March 25: 11.30am-1.30pm
