LITTLE Jenson Del-Valle has taken the crown in this year's Hereford Times Baby of the Year competition.

The two-year-old was the winner in the 19 to 36 months category and was named the overall winner.

Parents Marc, 31 and Alice Del-Valle, 25, from Glastonbury Close in Hereford won a framed colour canvas of the winning photo, a CD of the pictures and the Hereford Times Silver Salver.

Alice said: "We are so happy that our son won and really appreciate everyone who voted for him. We are hoping to put him into more competitions in the future."

The Baby of the Year competition started back in April and children were photographed by the official photographer, Fraser Portraits, in Debenhams.

A colour supplement was put in the Hereford Times at the end of May showing the photos of the babies, which resulted in more than 1,000 readers votes via text, phone and post.

This then gave us the top three babies in each category, which was published in the paper.

It was then down to a panel of judges, including editor Peter John, to decide the winners in each category and the overall winner.

Fraser Portraits provided the framed colour canvas of the winning photos and a picture CD for the three category winners.

Maisie Lloyd won the 10 to 18 months category and it is not the first win in the family.

Parents Steph Price, 23, and Andrew Lloyd, 25 from Quarry Close in Ross-on-Wye said: "We are really proud. She is a really happy little baby. He older brother, Harvey, won his age group at the same age."

Ayden Smith won the up to nine months age group.

Parents Kimberley Meredith, 25, and partner Nigel Smith, 45 from Collingwood Court in Tupsley said they will put the prize on the wall in their living room.

Kimberley said: "He is absolutely brilliant. He is such a content little baby. I can't believe it."