Child of the Year winners collect their prizes

All four winners in the competition were girls this year – Poppy Jackson, from Sompting, Summer Lafond O’Grady, from Littlehampton, Emily Hall, from Sompting, and Kaitlin Clapson, from Littlehampton.

The winners all collected their prizes – a framed copy of their winning photograph and a trophy – at the Herald offices, in Worthing, on Thursday, Spetmber 6.

Sarah Jackson, mum to Poppy who won the 0-9 months age group, said: “I found out at work that she had won and everyone at the office clapped. It was amazing.”

Summer Lafond-O’Grady won the 10-18 months category.

Her mum Elisha Lafond said: “My nephew was getting his picture done and I thought I would take Summer along. I was shocked but really happy when she won.”

Sandra Hall, mum to Emily who won the 19-36 months age group, said: “The news Emily had won came through the post the day before my birthday, which was lovely.”

Kaitlin Clapson won the 37-48 months age group.

Her mum Lisa Blackwood said: “It was a really nice surprise when Kaitlin won because it was the last year she could enter.”

For more pictures from the prize-giving, see this week’s Herald and Gazette (September 20 edition).