MUM Sharon Hancock hopes her son is just cheeky enough to crawl away with the top prize in The Sentinel's 2009 Baby and Toddler of the Year competition.

Eight-month-old William Hawksworth is always getting up to mischief and Sharon, pictured with the youngster, thinks that this is part of his charm.

The 22-year-old npower administrator said: "William is such a mischievous baby. He loves popping balloons and when they make you jump he doesn't."

Another of baby William's tricks is to help himself to food on other people's plates.

Sharon, of Glover Street, Birches Head, said: "William eats a lot and when he's finished his he'll start pinching food off your plate. He'll eat absolutely anything, from jam sandwiches to lasagna."

When it comes to toys, William is equally contrary.

The impish tot would much rather mess about with remote controls and mobile phones than play with the toys laid out for him.

Sharon said: "He's a cheeky baby, he just likes getting into mischief. Today he threw my mobile phone across the floor when we were shopping."

The first-time mum was at the Roebuck Shopping Centre, Newcastle, yesterday after hearing from a friend that The Sentinel's photo sessions for the competition were taking place.

The pictures have been completed and Sharon now hopes that little William will be lucky.

She said: "He is a beautiful baby with a lovely smile. I'd be ecstatic if he won because it'll be the first time he's won something."

The youngster will face some strong competition this year as there have already been numerous babies entered by proud parents.

And, for the first time, toddlers from three to five-years-old will be able to take part in a new category which will run along the existing 0-9 months, 10-18 months and 19-36 months age bands.

There is still time to enter the competition – photo sessions continue daily at the Roebuck Centre until Saturday.

For more information about how to get involved, look at the advert below.