Hunt begins for 2012’s Top Tot

Parents are being invited to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping to have a picture taken of their little one – and in doing so see their child’s snap in the pages of the Evening News.

Photographers will be at Ocean Terminal and Cameron Toll between 10am and 4pm every day this week.

The photoshoots will continue into the New Year, with a shortlist of 100 being picked in February next year, so keep an eye on the News for further details.

Now in its third year, the contest has proved popular across the area. Last year’s search for Edinburgh and the Lothians’ bonniest baby attracted staggering 62,000 votes – the most ever cast.

The winner was Broomhouse toddler Jack Donlevy, now aged 20 months, whose winning snap was taken at The Gyle.

Jack’s whole family – uncles, aunties, and grandparents – got voting to ensure he had a chance of winning the contest.

The winnings were put towards giving the lucky toddler a bumper birthday. Dad David said: “We were just over the moon when we found out Jack had won. We were on the bus when we found out.”

Youngsters up to the age of five are eligible to enter. The only restriction is that children must be aged under five for the duration of the competition, which closes on April 4. Once all the entries have been received, the pictures will be printed in four supplements throughout February and readers will have the chance to vote for their favourites before a final 100 is established.

They will then be whittled down to ten before a final round of voting will determine who will be crowned the Evening News Top Tot.

Kate Harbinson, from Tiny Tots, is this year’s photographer, and readers will have the chance to buy beautiful portraits of their children too.

Evening News promotions manager Ruth Hunter-Pepper said: “Top Tots is a really fun contest that just captures the imaginations of our readers.

“The contest is hugely popular.”