GIGGLES and laughter filled the air as bonny babies claimed their places as Happy Tots winners.

The Northern Echo’s annual Happy Tots competition once again attracted hundreds of entrants vying to be named the best-looking babies in the borough and beyond.

Hundreds of little ones visited pop-up photography studios in Darlington’s Cornmill Shopping Centre and the Newgate Centre in Bishop Auckland to have their pictures taken.

The competition was split into three age categories; 0-18 months, 18-36 months and 3-5 years and the winners for each were Imogen Martin, Cohnan Clark, and Ben Holness respectively.

Imogen’s mum, Sam Walker of Darlington, said it was the second year in a row that her daughter, aged 16 months, had claimed the title.

She said: “We didn’t expect it at all. It was a lovely surprise but she is a poser.”

Kirsty Loughran, from Darlington, said she had been persuaded to enter 20-month-old Cohnan in the competition.

She said: “It is amazing to think he has won. I will definitely enter him in more competitions in the future.”

Gemma and Danny Holness, from Bishop Auckland, said they were delighted to hear Ben, three, had been chosen.

Mrs Holness said: “We had forgotten about it and when we got the call we were over the moon.”

As well as winning a canvas print of their winning picture, the youngsters were also awarded a certificate, afternoon tea for two at Al Forno’s restaurant, Darlington, and a one month pass for Adventure Point in the town.

Competition organiser, Sam Linfoot said: “It has been another successful year with hundreds of cute kids having their photos taken.”