THE search is on to find the city's bonniest baby as the Worcester News' annual competition starts.

Worcester News Baby of the Year begins next week, with photos taken in Friary Walk, Crowngate from Monday (February 25) to Saturday (March 2), 10am-4pm.

Phoebe Bagley was 16 months old when she was crowned the overall winner of Baby of the Year 2018.

Baby Phoebe was presented with her prizes alongside her parents Bethany Finch and Samuel Bagley, both aged 24.

Miss Finch said: “My mum and dad had entered the competition behind my back, so it was a total shock. My parents were at the Crowngate where they saw the competition being advertised. They decided to take Phoebe back the next day, and they told me to dress her in something nice.

“They came back with this photograph of Phoebe and told me they had entered her. She was wearing a grey chequered dress with a bow in her hair – she looked so cute.”

Speaking about the competition, Miss Finish added: “I had a feeling she would win. However, every mother thinks the same about their child. All the babies who entered were gorgeous.

“I would definitely recommend for families to enter the Baby of the Year competition. Nominating a baby means it will be a real confidence boost for when they are older. Knowing my baby was the prettiest in Worcestershire in 2018 makes me so proud. Not everyone can say they won the competition, so it will be something she will cherish when she is older.”

Phoebe is now two and walking, talking and cheeky, says Miss Finch.