IT’S time for Oxfordshire’s bonniest babies and cutest kids to step forward for the Oxford Mail Baby of The Year 2011 competition.

The annual contest aims to show off the smiles of the county’s children – and offers one lucky family a free trip to Disneyland Paris.

Photographers will be at Matalan in the John Allen Centre, Cowley, on various dates over the next month.

Every tot who has their picture taken will feature in the Oxford Mail, before readers are asked to pick their favourite.

Last year’s winner was the daughter of former Oxford United player Joey Beauchamp, 18-month-old Jessie.

She beat off competition from hundreds of tots with 802 votes and enjoyed a three-day visit to Disneyland Paris with her family.

Mr Beauchamp, from Titup Hall Drive, Wood Farm, Oxford, said at the time: “Every dad must say they are the proudest dad in the world, but I really am.”

The family also received a framed photo, courtesy of Fraser Portraits, who took all the entrants’ photos and £100 of Debenhams vouchers.

Runners-up were Shaqueesha Edwards, two, and six-month-old Samuel Nally-Carr, with 396 and 229 votes respectively.

They both received Debenhams vouchers and a framed photo of their child. Samuel’s mum Lucy Carr, from Grove, said: “Other parents should definitely come forward, it was a nice thing to do.

“The photo of Samuel we got was lovely, it is hanging on our wall.”

Oxford Mail promotions manager Jo Coady said: “This year we want more babies smiling for the cameras than ever before.

“Last year we had hundreds of entries and it was a fantastic competition, so we hope it will be even better this time around.”

l The contest is open to children aged up to three and there will be three age categories: nought to nine months, 10 to 18 months and 19 to 36 months, based on the number of votes, which can be cast by text or by phone.

The photographer will be in Matalan between 10am and 4pm every day from Monday, March 28, to Saturday, April 2, and from Monday, April 4, until Saturday, April 9.

Pick up your Oxford Mail on any of these dates to get your entry form.