CHELSEA Roberts is basking in the limelight after becoming Worcester News Baby of the Year 2007.

The 18-month-old toddler was crowned the winner in a glittering presentation ceremony at the Worcester News offices in Hylton Road yesterday.

Chelsea was also crowned winner in the 10-18 months category, winning a 20 by 16-inch framed colour potrait of herself and £100 of Argos vouchers.

Mum Vanessa Locke, aged 22, of Ripon Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, said she and her partner Tristan Roberts were "absolutely delighted" that Chelsea had been named the winner.

Miss Locke said: "We'd like her to be a model one day, so this is a great start.

"We didn't expect to win the competition and just entered for a bit of fun really. It's made us so happy."

There were also winners in other categories, with 10-month-old Elissia Hartford winning the 0-9 month category and Alexa Evis, who celebrates her third birthday today, winning the 19-36 months category.

Elissia's mum Sherine Dainty, 23, of Essex Close, Dines Green, Worcester, said: "I'm over the moon with Elissia - I saw the advert in the Worcester News and thought I'd enter her to see how far she could go. It's made my day."

Angie Evis, 33, of Fallowfields, Warndon Villages, Worcester, said it was the ideal birthday present for her baby daughter. Mrs Evis said: "She's got two older sisters, Atlanta, eight, and AG, 14. They'll be delighted with Alexa.

"We entered last year and she made the final 10, but didn't win anything. We're estactic with the result."

There were 14,100 votes cast by Worcester News readers and a total of 509 babies who entered the competition.

All three winners were chosen by a panel of judges, including former Worcester News editor Stewart Gilbert and manager of the Cathedral Plaza shopping centre John Kendrick.

Worcester News head of promotions Sarah Bevan, who was also judged the competition, said: "It was very difficult being a judge, but great fun. All the babies entering this year were little characters."