Three sets of proud parents in Exeter have been presented with a portrait-style canvas print of their babies.

The canvas prints were given as prizes for the Echo’s Baby of the Year competition, which was divided into three categories: up to 9 months; 10 to 18 months; and 19 to 36 months. The winners were, respectively, Lilly Mearns, Billy Spurway and Corey Blamey. Each child was awarded £100 as well as their image to canvas.

The parents of four months old Lilly Mearns received an additional £700 after their daughter was crowned overall winner of the competition. The child’s mother, Danielle Knapman, 24, told the Echo: “We didn’t think for one minute that Lilly would win.”

The mother of 18-month-old Billy Spurway, who won the middle category commented on how much she liked the canvas print of her son: “I really like the photos that Dawson Strange takes and, because my sister lives in New Zealand, it’s nice to be able to send her a copy of the baby supplement.

“The printed canvas we’ve been given is lovely. Billy grows up so fast, he already looks quite different to his picture. His grandparents are so proud and I just want to thank everyone who voted for him.”

You too can capture your baby on canvas by taking a stunning photograph (stylize it if you like, as in the image here) and sending it to a reputable canvas print company like ultra print