SCORES of babies have already had their pictures taken for our ever-popular Baby of the Year competition which is shaping up to be one of the best-ever.

And this is the very last chance to enter YOUR baby or toddler.

The last photographic sessions are taking place this Friday and Saturday at the Garth Dawson Studio on Bridge Street, Accrington, from 9.30am to 1230pm.

To come on Friday you must ring 231802 immediately to make an appointment.

But on Saturday will be an "open date’’ when you can take your baby down without an appointment.

There are a number of exciting changes to the competition this year.

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.

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 Accrington 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.

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.

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 Accrington 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.