DALLAS IS BABY OF THE YEAR

He beat more than 570 other babies to take the coveted title.

Dallas, aged 10 months, who lives with parents Keith and Zara in Battle Road, St Leonards, captured the judges hearts with his huge grin and sparkling eyes.

Within minutes of his success Dallas was getting used to his new-found stardom, hugging the huge trophy close to his chest and cuddling the teddy bear he won as one of the prizes.

Parents, Keith and Zara, were shocked but delighted at the news. Keith said: I can t believe it! We have just phoned our parents to tell them and they are chuffed. My mum lives in London and has just come out of hospital so I knew she d be really pleased.

The 37-year-old driver and mechanic was excited about telling his friends and said there would be a huge celebration.

Zara, 21, said after the excitement of winning, they would try and enter Dallas into modelling and will put together a portfolio of pictures.

She said: I was so surprised at how many people said they saw his picture in the paper. He s such a poseur and he loves the camera.

He is really hyperactive, he has lots of energy and he absolutely loves cuddly toys and balls. He eats so much food I don t know where he puts it.

It was one of the closest contests the Observer has seen. Thousands of votes poured in and it took staff an incredible seven hours to sort through them!

Observer Group Editor Michael Beard said: Once again there were so many bonny babies that it was an incredibly hard task to choose a winner.

Dallas won the 0-9 month category, and was picked as overall winner by a panel of judges. As well as the cup and bear, his parents won 100 in vouchers and a framed photograph of Dallas.

Ashleigh Glynn, aged 18 months of Hollington Old Lane, St Leonards, and 13-month-old Maddie Freeman of Colebrooke Road in Bexhill, were joint winners of the 10-18 month category after finishing with exactly the same number of votes.

Charlotte Yeo, who is 20 months and lives in Bexhill Road won the 19-36 month age group.

Each group winner receives a framed photograph, 50 in vouchers and a teddy bear.

Runners up were Jemma English, 15 weeks, of The Ridge in Hastings, and 26-month-old Bethany Streeter of Heron Close, St Leonards.

They each win 20 in vouchers.