TEDDIES, toys and tricks were raising big smiles yesterday, as the the Oxford Mail Baby of the Year 2011 competition got underway.

Dozens of children had their pictures taken at the Matalan store in the John Allen Centre in Cowley.

Among the proud parents was Alison Brown, 20, from Littlemore, with seven-month-old Imogen.

Mrs Morris said: “We just think Imogen is lovely, so we wanted to bring her along. And we really wanted a nice picture of her to keep.”

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

The competition is free to enter and the winner will receive a trip to Disneyland Paris.

Photographer Mark Fraser, from Fraser Portraits, said: “We had a really busy morning and there were definitely some potential winners.

“I love it. They were all cute and they made me laugh.”

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 from 10am-4pm every day this week until Saturday, and from Monday until Saturday, April 9.

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