PROUD parents of a 15-month-old boy are celebrating after he was crowned Darent Valley Hospital's Little Budding Star.

The hospital launched the competition in May to find the cutest baby aged from newborn to two years old.

It aimed to raise awareness of the Little Buds Fund, which provides essential equipment for its special baby care unit.

News Shopper has been helping staff raise cash towards a £400,000 wish list of equipment they need to enhance services.

Seventy-four people uploaded their child's photo to the Darent Valley Hospital page on Facebook and more than 1,500 people voted.

Mycah Angelo Macaspac was announced the winner after receving the most 'likes' on his picture with 316 votes.

His mum, Mylyn Dabu-Macaspac, from Northfleet, said: "We were delighted to win.

"All my friends said I should enter the competition because he is so beautiful. Thank you to everyone who voted."

Mycah won a professional baby photo shoot while two runners up received shopping vouchers.

A hospital spokesman said: "We were delighted to see so many proud parents taking part in our Little Buds competition. 

"We would like to thank everybody for sharing their favourite pictures and happy memories on our Facebook page. 

"We now see a record number of mums giving birth at Darent Valley and it’s lovely to see how they have blossomed. 

"Congratulations to the winners and our thanks to the News Shopper for supporting Little Buds."

To donate to the Little Buds Fund, visit justgiving.com/budding-little-stars or call fundraising manager Tracey Cummins on 01322 428256.