WITH his curly hair and cute smile, Gene Smith's parents always thought he was adorable – and now readers of The Sentinel have made him an award winner.

The 21-month-old tot took away the title of The Sentinel's Baby of the Year 2009 yesterday, after battling it out against almost 1,300 entrants.

More than 150,000 votes were cast in the annual competition.

But it was little Gene who snatched the trophy after his picture attracted the most attention.

Parents Maxine Bradbury and Rob Smith, from Etruria, entered him in the 10-18 months category, after seeing their friends' children take part in previous years.

And after Gene won both his category and the overall competition, the couple said they were proud of his achievement.

Maxine, aged 29, an assistant manager at a beauty salon, said: "Our friends have entered their children into Baby of the Year before, but we hadn't, so we thought we would give it a go.

"I'm shocked but pleased that he has won, because lots of children entered and they were all very cute."

Gene's parents took home a £1,500 cheque, two framed pictures, tickets to Chester Zoo and a silver salver.

And Maxine, of Bullrushes Close, said: "Gene is a very happy boy and he charms everyone with his curly hair.

"He speaks to them even if he doesn't know them."

Sport scientist Rob, also aged 29, said: "Gene is into everything at the moment and copies what you say.

"I'm really chuffed for him and very proud.

"We'd like to thank everyone who voted."

Parents were able to enter their youngsters into the competition by having their pictures taken at Newcastle's Roebuck Shopping Centre in September.

Photographs of each of the entrants were then featured in a special supplement and readers of The Sentinel were invited to vote for their favourite child.

The top 20 youngsters from each of the four age categories were then shown in the paper again and, for the first time, telephone voting took place to decide on the winners.

Those who came out top were invited to a presentation event at The Sentinel's headquarters in Forge Lane, Etruria, yesterday afternoon.

And promotions manager Scott Smallwood said: "The response that we get to this competition surprises me each year.

"The competition gets bigger and better every year and we are already planning the 2010 one.

"I'd like to thank all the parents and voters for entering and supporting the competition once again.

"Thanks also goes out to the Roebuck Shopping Centre for all its support."