YES, it’s that time of the year again. Our ever-popular Baby of the Year competition is underway with some terrific prizes – and a few exciting twists.

For the first time babies and toddlers will be in the same category – and we will be looking for the best boy and the most gorgeous girl.

In order to cut down on people having to queue we are introducing an appointment system to have your baby photographed.

And in another exciting innovation ALL babies entered will appear in a special supplement right at the start of the competition. Readers will then be invited to vote to whittle the numbers down before the contest itself gets underway.

There is also a change in the prize structure.

The parents of the two winners will be able to choose the usual prize of a 20-inch by 16-inch framed wall portrait of their child from the competition’s co-sponsor the Garth Dawson Studio.

Or as an alternative they can arrange a sitting for a special family portrait.

Both these prizes are worth £350 plus there will be the usual £50 cheque from the Observer.

The competition is open to babies and toddlers who are aged between six months and their third birthday on 25 February.

Entrants must also live in a house that pays its council tax to Hyndburn Council.

All you have to do is ring the Garth Dawson Studio on 231802 to book an appointment to have your child photographed on one of the days set aside for accepting entries.

These are:

  • The afternoons of Monday 25, Tuesday 26, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 February from 1pm to 4pm.
  • The weekend of Saturday and Sunday 1 and 2 March from 10.30 am to 2.30pm. These prime dates are still free
  • The mornings of Monday 3 March, Tuesday 4 March, Thursday 6 March, Friday 7 March and Saturday 8 March from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

You must then take your child, along with the completed entry form on this page and your £1 entry fee, to the Garth Dawson Studio on Bridge Street, Accrington.

You will be asked to return within 10 days to view and check the picture and ALL entries will then be featured in a future edition of the Observer.

Our readers will be the judges, voting each week for a Baby of the Week and then picking the two winners from a line-up of finalists.

Interest is sure to be sky-high so you are advised to book your appointment as soon as possible. Do not leave it right to the end