MUMS and dads need to get their skates on to make sure their youngsters have a chance of winning the Daily Echo Child of the Year 2006 competition.

Proud parents who took their children to have their pictures taken have until Saturday to go back and choose their favourite shot for the all-important special Daily Echo supplement.

Photographers from BCR Photo-graphic took hundreds of pictures of Hampshire's tots at The Entertainer toy shop in The Mall Marlands shopping centre in Southampton.

Mums and dads need to go to the centre's ground floor between 9.30am and 5pm to pick the perfect picture.

For the 11th year running, the Daily Echo Child of the Year 2006, which is open to youngsters aged up to five, is being sponsored by The Mall Marlands.

Boasting more than 45 stores on two floors, The Mall Marlands offers everything from designer labels and affordable fashions through to home wares, furnishings, toys and gifts.

It includes Matalan, the Disney Store, The Entertainer, Cargo, Fopp Records, Legends, The Perfume Shop, Bay Trading, MkOne, Hawkins Bazaar and West One.

Prizes include hundreds of pounds worth of vouchers from The Entertainer toy store, certificates and framed photographs.

The Entertainer is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Established in May 1981 it now boasts 36 stores and is a leading player in the toy retail industry.

Child of the Year 2006 will be voted for by Daily Echo readers, who will be able to view all the entries in a special supplement published on Wednesday, July 26.