NEXT week sees the start of the Oxford Mail Baby of The Year 2014 competition with the county’s bonniest babies stepping into the spotlight.

The annual contest shows off adorable tots from across Oxfordshire, with the chance to win a week-long Pontins family holiday.

Last year’s winner was Saisha-Indiana Davies.

Her mum Gemma Davies, of Lake Street, South Oxford, said: “I just thought I’d give it a go because everybody else was doing it.

“It was a big shock when I got the phone call saying she’d won.

“The woman who told me said thousands of people had voted, which was amazing.

“I’m very proud and was overwhelmed. It was a truly special honour. To think my child has actually won – and knowing other people think she’s beautiful.”

Ms Davies, 32, said one-year-old Saisha-Indiana has changed since the competition last year.

“She’s grown up since then, she’s walking and talking now,” she said. “She’s more beautiful than ever, just absolutely angelic.”

But Saisha-Indiana is not seeking the spotlight again this year.

Full-time mum Ms Davies said: “I’m not entering her this year, because I’d feel greedy.”

To enter the contest fill in a form which will be available in the Oxford Mail next week, and then take your child to one of the photo booths covering the competition, where professional photographers from Fraser Portraits will take the pictures free of charge.

Pictures of all the entrants will be published in a special supplement in the Oxford Mail and readers will then vote for their favourite.

The baby with the most votes wins the overall prize with a runner-up from each category – zero to nine months, 10 to 18 months, and 19 to 36 months. The winner will receive a seven-night holiday with Pontins, a £50 Sainsbury’s voucher, a canvas print of the winning photo and a trophy. The runners-up will win a three or four-night break with Pontins, a £25 Sainsbury’s voucher, a canvas print of their photo and a trophy.

Photo booths will be at

  • Matalan at the John Allen Centre, Cowley, from Monday, March 17, to Saturday, March 22;
  • Westgate shopping centre from Monday, March 24, to Wednesday, March 26;
  • and Sainsbury’s Heyford Hill from Thursday, March 27, to Saturday, March 29.

Entry forms will appear in the Oxford Mail from March 17-29.