TIME is running out for parents to get their little treasures in the frame for a special keepsake photograph - and be in with the chance of scooping some top prizes.

Gazette Newspapers and Festival Place, in Basingstoke, have teamed up again for Kute Kidz 2004 - a popular annual event which sees hundreds of children get their photographs published in The Gazette.

The pictures of babies and children up to five years old are being taken this week in the shopping centre.

Photographers from the well-known Portraits firm descended on Porchester Square on Monday to start snapping photogenic youngsters - and they will be there until Friday, between 10am and 5pm every day.

Parents will need to bring along one of the special vouchers published in The Gazette last Friday and on Monday to get their child photographed free of charge.

Papers can be bought at Gazette Newspapers' offices in Church Street, in the town centre, or at Pelton Road.

Festival Place staff have also organised a range of fun events, including a pumpkin hunt, to help beat the half-term boredom, and special goody bags will be handed out to those youngsters who have their pictures taken for Kute Kidz 2004.

All pictures taken this week will be published in a special supplement in The Gazette on Friday, November 26.

There will be three age groups - up to 18 months, 19 months to 36 months and 37 months up to 60 months - and the winners will be selected in two ways.

Gazette readers will vote for their favourite child in each age group and a panel of judges will also award first, second and third prizes in the sections.

This year's event has, once again, received backing from a host of local businesses.

Festival Place, Debenhams, Klick, Marks & Spencer, Basingstoke Sports Centre, The Entertainer, The Magic Custard Company, Pumpkin Patch, Woolworths, Clarks, The Bear Factory, Birdworld, Marwell Zoo and Paultons Park have all donated prizes for the competition.

Parents need to take along one voucher for each child they wish to have photographed.