Baby of the Year winners revealed

By lvickers

READERS have been voting in their droves for the Observer's Baby Competition – and now we can reveal the winners.

Charlie Smith, Ruby Heath and Hannah Jones have won their respective age categories and are now the Observer's Babies of the Year for 2010.

Thirty-five children aged up to five years old entered the competition.

Voting lines opened on January 8 and readers had nine days to make their decision.

Around 500 votes were cast.

The winners receive an oil canvas print of their child's photograph provided by The Portrait Group.

Here the Observer presents the winners.

Winner of the 0 to 18 month category is Charlie Smith, from Pype Hayes.

It's a special month for Charlie as he celebrates his first birthday on February 18.

Mum Katie Hobin said: "I'm absolutely delighted, as proud as punch."

Two-year-old Ruby Heath, of Walmley, was voted the winner in the 18 months to three years category.

Ruby's mum, Zoe Hopkins said: "I'm shocked, but really pleased. I didn't enter her last year because she was so little, but all her family said I should enter her this year. I know we are biased but we think she's beautiful and I wanted to see her picture in the paper."

Ruby attends Seesaws nursery in Walmley and enjoys dancing.

Hannah Jones is the winner of the three to five years category.

Mum Sita Jones said: "It's a nice surprise and brilliant news; really good.

"Our friends have all seen her picture in the paper."