WHO will be the Dorset Echo Child Of The Year for 2012?

The Dorset Echo is launching its appeal to readers to put forward their children into our annual photographic competition.

The competition is split into four different age categories, each with its own prize, as well as a special prize for the overall winner.

It is a free, fun-based competition with the winner receiving £100 of vouchers and a framed print of the winning picture.

The remaining category winners will receive £50 of vouchers and a mounted print of their picture.

The Dorset Echo has teamed up with local photographer Daniel Rushall, who will be taking pictures at the Dorchester branch of Wellchester today between 10am and 4pm. Mr Rushall will also be available at the Weymouth branch of Debenhams on June 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, between 10am and 1pm and 2pm and 4pm.

Last year’s competition saw entries run into the hundreds while readers voted in their thousands to decide the winners.

Overall winner, Josie Philbrick, was picked from the 0 to 9 months category.

The other category winners were Yasmin Copur Smith (10 to 18 months), Jax Giblin (19 to 35 months) and Harry Bailey (3 to 6 years).

The winners were invited to a presentation ceremony at Debenhams in Weymouth to receive their prizes.

All four categories are unisex and any child wishing to enter must be six years or under on June 2 , 2012. Only portraits taken at the official sittings will be eligible for entry.

Dorset Echo readers who want to enter their child will need to bring a completed competition coupon to one of the official sittings. The coupons can be found in copies of the Echo.

We will publish all the photos on June 18 and readers will be invited to vote for their favourite via phone, text or in-paper coupon.

All pictures will also be available to view on our website dorsetecho.co.uk A panel of judges will then choose the winners from the shortlist of children with the most votes.

Each child entering is eligible for one free sitting consisting of at least two different poses and each child is limited to one entry.