TINY tots and their parents queued in the cold in an attempt to be crowned Baby of the Year 2005.

The launch of the Worcester News' competition yesterday attracted proud mums and dads from all over the county keen to show off their little ones.

And the babies were only too happy to be in the spotlight with most mums saying their tots enjoyed being the centre of attention.

"He loves having his photo taken and being a right little poser," said Emma Chidlow, from St John's in Worcester, who is hoping her two-year-old son Jake will win the competition.

And two-year-old Owen Smith gave a big smile as his mum Kerry Smith, of Brickfields Road, Brickfields, Worcester, took him in to be photographed.

"He is such a little poser," she said.

The competition, which runs every day this week until Saturday, is split into three categories - 0-9 months, 10-18 months and 19-36 months.

A winner and two runners up will be picked from each category before an overall winner is chosen.

New mum Michelle Ralph, of Wyld's Lane, Worcester, wasted no time getting her tiny tot to the photo session.

She is hoping eight-week-old Benjamin will win the hearts of the public when it comes to the vote.

"I just think he's so cute he has a really good chance of winning," she said.

All parents have to do to enter is to visit the old Phone Shack store, next to Acorn Cards near CrownGate market and Angel Place, in Worcester city centre between 10am and 5pm from today until Saturday.

All the pictures will be put on display, and parents will be given a date to return and enter their children into the competition.