LITTLE William Evans was born with a condition that causes parts of the skull to grow at different rates - but 16 months on, he is the winner of the Hereford Times Baby of the Year competition.

William's recovery is due largely to mum Katie and grandmother Julie, who noticed a flat patch on his head, which was diagnosed as plagiocephaly.

They then embarked on a series of jumble sales, raffles and auctions to raise £2,000 to pay for William to see a specialist in Cardiff.

The treatment was a special plastic and foam helmet which fitted snugly to the faster growing parts of William's head, allowing the other parts to catch up.

Katie, of Hereford, said she entered William into the competition "because he's so cute" but admitted she was completely shocked that he had won.

Julie added that William was a very cheeky boy who enjoys doing anything that makes a lot of noise, and especially loves using the vacuum cleaner and his mum's hairdryer.

Katie and William were presented with a silver salver and Maylord Shopping Centre vouchers by Hereford Times editor Liz Griffin at a ceremony in the Maylord Shopping Centre on Monday. All finalists received flowers from Posies of Hereford and a framed portrait photograph courtesy of BCR photographic.

HTC, of Whitestone, Hereford, sponsored the competition, which had more than 300 entries and attracted around 8,000 votes from Hereford Times readers.

Full Results: 0-9 months: Charlie Bufton (winner), Lily Olive (runner-up), Bethan Nia Hopkins (runner-up).

10-18 months: William Evans (Baby of the Year), Emma Phipps (runner-up), Joseph Bromage (runner-up).

19-36 months: Keira Impey (winner), Katy Phillips (runner-up), Owen Jordan Peyton (runner-up).