THE Echo’s Child of the Year winners were all smiles as they received their prizes.

Parents Jay and Jade Gibbs said they were extremely proud that their son Callum was named the competition’s overall winner.

Callum, of the 19-35 month category, secured hundreds of votes to become the Echo’s Child of the Year.

Callum’s parents entered him into the competition for fun and to see how he got on, and they didn’t expect a win.

Jay said: “We were quite relaxed about the competition.

“If he wins, he wins. If he doesn’t, it doesn’t matter.”

As Callum won his category and made it into the final four, his parents really started to believe that he could win the competition. They were delighted when he did.

The winners were: l 0-9 months: Alicia Kenna Staddon l 10-18 months: Kira May White l 19-35 months: Callum Gibbs l 3-6 years: Tiana Snook l Overall winner: Callum Gibbs Callum won a magnificent framed photograph, vouchers worth £100 and a trophy. The category winners won vouchers worth £50 and a trophy.

The event was supported by Debenhams in Weymouth and Wellworths in Dorchester. Pictures for the competition were taken by Daniel Rushall Photography.