Harvey Dumper has been crowned top of the gorgeous tots in the Daily Echo’s Child of the Year competition.

The 13-month-old from Southampton beat dozens of cute rivals to the top spot, making parents Katie Taylor and Joe Dumper proud.

It was thanks to his mother Katie that Harvey was in the running after she heard about the contest through a friend who had entered her daughter.

Katie and her mother were wandering through The Marlands shopping centre in Southampton, which was hosting photographic sittings for the competition, and she decided to give it a go.

Judges chose Harvey as their overall winner after picking winners in each of the four age categories – 0 to nine months, 10 to 18 months, 19 to 36 months, and three to five years.

Harvey and his mother live with her parents in Poulner Close, Weston, but Katie and partner Joe, 22, of Boyatt Wood, who works as a chef in a Chandler’s Ford care home, are hoping to find their own place together soon.

Born in the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton, Harvey is just learning to walk.

But Katie thinks it is Harvey’s smile that puts him above the rest.

“He’s always smiling, he’s quite a happy baby,” said the 19-year-old, who is a qualified hairdresser but currently a full-time mother.

“Lots of people tell me he is cute and happy. I feel really proud. I was quite surprised as I didn’t even know he’d got into the finals.

“I thought he might win the category, but not overall.”

Harvey will receive a host of prizes, including a glass bowl, a print of their winning photo and vouchers to spend at outlets within The Marlands, which this year celebrates its 20th year of sponsoring the Child of the Year competition.

 

 

 

AGE-GROUP WINNERS

0 to nine months:

1st: Max Harris

2nd: Courtney-Rose Turner

3rd: Jack Palmer

 

10 to 18 months:

1st: Harvey Dumper

2nd: Layla Cowans

3rd: James Elmes

 

19 to 18 months:

1st: Ty Hawkins

2nd: Harry Paxton

3rd: Lloyd Runnalls

 

Three to five years:

1st: Harry Loines

2nd: Brooke Oliver

3rd: Elliot Norris