This week the Guardian is launching a Child Of The Year competition in association with Portrait Place at Allders in Sutton.

We are inviting parents to send us pictures of their baby which will be posted on our internet newspaper site. Readers will have the chance of voting for who they think is the bonniest baby.

There are two age categories 0 to 18 months and 18 months to five.

A monthly winner from each age group will be selected from votes cast online. Each monthly winner will receive a free photographic session at Portrait Place in Sutton and a 20x16 colour portrait from the session. The total value of this is £90. Each winner will also receive a cuddly toy from Allders and a £5 book token from Kendrake's in Sutton.

The monthly winners will then go through to the competition to find the child of the year.

The overall winner who has polled the most votes in both age groups will become the Guardian's Child Of The Year. He or she will win a weekend for a family of four at Cadbury's World plus a further professional photo-shoot at Portrait Place for the family (maximum 10 people).

To be in with a chance of winning, simply log onto www.suttonguardian.co.uk/childoftheyear for details of how to enter.

Parents can also post their child's photo, with their name, address, daytime telephone number and age category, to Liam Allen, Sutton Guardian, Unecol House, 819 London Road, North Cheam, SM3 9BN.

Please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope if you want the photograph returned.

You can also enter by visiting Portrait Place on the fifth floor of Allders in the St Nicholas Centre, where you can fill in an entry form and have a professional photograph taken for free. You then have the option of buying your print. Prices start from £15 for a 7x5 photo.

July 12, 2002 10:00