Alicia Howells wins Hereford Times Baby of the Year 2011 (From Hereford Times)

Alicia Howells wins Hereford Times Baby of the Year 2011

8:30am Thursday 28th July 2011 in Features

BEAUTIFUL blue eyes and a happy nature could be the reason behind the success of this year's baby of the year.

Nine-month-old Alicia Howells won this year’s contest beating off stiff competition from hundreds of entries.

This year 287 babies featured in the Hereford Times baby of the year supplement which culminated in more than 7,500 readers’ votes.

Wink Photography provided prizes worth more than £2,000 and photographed hundreds of entrants at the Maylord Shopping Centre in Hereford starting back in May.

Winning mum Abigail Downey, who lives between Callow and Pontrilas said she was in shock at her daughter taking the top prize – before guessing why the judges and readers went for her child.

“She has gorgeous big blue eyes, she is very happy, very chatty usually and always a fidgit,” she added.

“She likes bouncing a lot and is in to everything.”

As well as being overall winner, Alicia won the 0-9 month category. Runners-up were Harry Hanks and Jenson Newman.

Alicia won a prize worth more than £1,000, including a complimentary shoot for the whole family at Wink Photography, the Hereford Times silver salver, and a bouquet of flowers for mum.

The 10-18 category was won by 17-month-old Darcey-Mai Bethall whose mum Chloe Hogg, lives in Whitecross, and dad Aaron Bethell, lives in Lower Bullingham.

“I think she won because she put her hands up to her mouth in the photo and it brought out her personality,” said Chloe.

Runners-up in this category were Joshua Brace and Brooke Morris.

Cameron Fraser, from Whitecross in Hereford, won the 19-36 month category.

His mother Gemma Fraser said: “I’m really chuffed. He loves reading books, drawing and music.”

Runners-up in this category were Jack Gwynne and Destiny Mifflin.

Category winners won a prize fund worth more than £500, including a complimentary family photo shoot with Wink photography.

Category runners-up each won a framed portrait print of the picture they entered, worth £75.