IT'S all in the smile.

That's the explanation coming from a Southampton mum whose daughter charmed the judges in a beautiful baby competition - 24 years after she did exactly the same.

In 1980, when 24-year-old Natasha Hayes was six months old, her picture won the title of Daily Echo Baby of the Year in the 0 to 9 months age category.

This year Natasha's daughter, five-month-old Morgan Hicks, continued what looks set to become a family tradition when she came third in the same category.

Natasha, of Shooters Hill Close, Sholing, said: "I thought it was really strange that Morgan was placed out of all those babies and I'd done exactly the same thing at around the same age.

"There's definitely a likeness in our smiles. But she's got a lot more hair than I had at that age.

"I thought I'd enter her picture into the competition because she's quite a pretty baby and I thought she might come somewhere. I think it's her dark brown, curly hair that made her a winner.

"She was only 11 weeks old when her picture was entered into the competition but she looked much older because of her hair. This will be a lovely thing to tell her about when she's older."

More than 750 youngsters were entered into the Daily Echo's annual search for a Child of the Year.

In the 0 to 9 months category Morgan was placed third by a team of judges headed by staff from the Mall Marlands shopping centre, which sponsored the competition. Jay Tongs of Midanbury, Southampton, came in first place followed by Joseph Callaghan of Wickham. Each category winner and runner-up received Disney vouchers, a framed print and certificate.