ENTRIES to the Daily Echo Child of the Year 2005 contest are pouring in.

Proud parents have been queuing up to put their youngsters forward for our fantastic competition.

These first few pictures show the standards are extremely high.

Mums and dads need to hurry because there are just nine days left for your child to take part.

The Daily Echo Child of the Year competition is open to youngsters aged up to five.

For the tenth year running, the contest is being sponsored by The Mall Marlands shopping centre in Southampton.

Boasting more than 50 stores on two floors, The Mall Marlands offers everything from designer labels and affordable fashions through to homewares, furnishings, toys and gifts.

High Street names include Matalan, the Disney Store, The Entertainer, The Pier, Adams, Legends, Capo, Bay Trading, MkOne, Hawkins Bazaar and West One.

Photographers from BCR Photographic will once again be on hand at The Mall Marlands every day until June 18. Prizes include £800 of vouchers from The Entertainer toy store, certificates and framed photographs.

The Child of the Year 2005 will be voted for by Daily Echo readers who can view all the entries in a supplement published on July 27.

Simply cut out the coupon on page 22 of today's Daily Echo and take it along to the former Index shop on the first floor of The Mall Marlands shopping centre in Southampton for your free photographic sitting.