When it came to the crunch, 14-month-old Ben Adams was just not mucky enough.

He was pipped at the post of a national competition by an angelic, but muckier, girl from Leicester.

But there was no despondency at the Adams household in Castle Street, Wallingford.

Ben's father, Justin, 30, said: "It was all great fun and we enjoyed it."

His mother, Bobby, 31, added: "He can get filthy just standing still."

One of the five national finalists, Ben won a washing machine for his mother and clothes and toys for himself.