Entry to the competition is open to babies under 48 months and is completely free, so if you think you have the bonniest baby just fill in the coupon below and bring it along to one of our photography sessions.

Once again we have the support of the Four Seasons Shopping Centre, Mansfield, and The Idlewells Shopping Centre, Sutton, who will host the sessions, as well as Thru the Lens Studio — our official Baby of the Year photographer.

Photographic sessions start at the Four Seasons on Monday 28th April and will run until Saturday 3rd May.

Our photographer will then move on to the Idlewells, where photographic sessions start on Wednesday 7th May and run through to Saturday 10th May.

Photographs will be taken from 9am-5pm, with a one hour lunch break at some point during the day. Remember, you can avoid the queues by visiting early in the week.

Photographs will be available to view immediately on a digital screen where you can select the competition image and purchase any photographic packages on offer.

Photographic packages are priced between £18-£42 and payment is accepted by cash or cheque. If payment is by credit or debit card you may have to return to collect the photographs once the payment has been processed.

All entrants will be printed in a special Baby of the Year supplement and all the photographs will be available to view and purchase online at www.chad.co.uk at a later date! Just look out for the Baby of the Year tab on the Chad homepage.

Once the photographic sessions are complete it's over to our readers to vote for their top tot by SMS or telephone and crown the baby of their choice with the prestigious Baby of the Year 2008 title.

The winners and runners up will be announced at a special presentation on Friday 20th June at the Towers in Mansfield.

The £4,000 prize package includes:

• a seven-night break, courtesy of Pontins.




• three three-night breaks, courtesy of Pontins for the age group winners.




• a studio session and wall portrait, donated by Thru the Lens Studios.




• nursery sessions (terms and conditions apply) from Shaping Futures Nursery.




• eight family passes to Twycross Zoo.




• eight family passes to Sherwood Forest Farm Park.




• eight family passes to White Post Farm.




• a month pass at Playland for two children and seven two-hour passes.


• a Virgin Vie Hamper.




• a bouquet donated by Glenda's Florists for all eight finalists.




• £100 gift card from Chappelle Jewellery.




• £100 gift card, courtesy of East Midlands Designer Outlet.




• a child's party entertainer donated by The Joker.




• a £50 voucher from Ambience.




• a course of swimming lessons for parent and child from Watermeadows.




• a trophy donated by Showstoppers Rosettes and Trophies.

Click here for more information.