PROUD parents have been queuing up to put forward their little bundles of joy for the coveted Daily Echo Baby of the Year 2002 competition.

These early entries show the standard this year will be as high as ever.

There's still plenty of time for your tot or toddler to take their place in the annual contest which offers more than £1,000 worth of prizes.

Photographers from BCR Photographic will be on hand to capture your child's character at The Marlands Shopping Centre in Southampton until June 8 - but get there early to beat the crowds.

As it's all free, you literally have nothing to lose.

Baby of the Year 2002 is voted on by Daily Echo readers who provide the 15 finalists from which the judges have to choose.

This specially-appointed selection panel will then pick the top three in each category: 0-9 months; 10-18 months and 19-36 months - and the all-important overall winner of the competition.

Up for grabs for the overall winner is the Daily Echo crystal bowl, a certificate, a framed photograph of your child plus £350 worth of vouchers from The Entertainer toy shop at The Marlands.

The two other age section winners will receive £125 worth of vouchers for The Entertainer, a smaller framed photograph and certificate.

Second place in your category will be rewarded with £75 worth of The Entertainer vouchers plus photograph and certificate.

Third place babies win £50 worth of vouchers for The Entertainer with their photograph and certificate.

In addition age category winners will take home a picnic basket of organic goodies from baby food firm Cow & Gate.

TO ENTER YOUR BABY IN THE COMPETITION SIMPLY CUT OUT AND COMPLETE THE COUPON APPEARING IN THE DAILY ECHO AND THEN TAKE IT ALONG TO THE MARLANDS SHOPPING CENTRE FOR YOUR FREE PHOTOGRAPHIC SITTING.

COME ALONG EARLY TO AVOID QUEUEING!