CURLY blue-eyed, blond Andrew Fiddes stole the hearts of the judges and the audience at the St Helens Show when when he and his mum, Deborah, won the grand final of the St Helens Star Mother & Baby Competition.

The 14-month-old tot from Wharfedale Drive in Rainhill, has an irresistible dimpled smile which the judges simply loved. And with those big baby blues it's not hard to see why little Andrew is the apple of his mum's eye.

After winning the final, a delighted Deborah, said: "Andrew is my only son and I'm really proud of him. I entered the competition after my mother-in-law, Joan, persuaded me to and I must admit that I couldn't wait to show him off. The couple picked up a staggering list of prizes including a holiday and a year's supply of clothing.

"I think it was Andrew's curly hair which clinched the title for us, because you can be sure that when I take him out so many people stop us and comment on his hair and his big blue eyes.

"Andrew's got a great temperament and his dad, Gary, who videoed the final, is as proud as punch.

"To be honest I still can't believe that we've won, there were so many beautiful babies who took part and it really must have been a difficult choice for the judges - I wouldn't have like to have been in their shoes."

Second place in the final went to angelic brown-eyed,11-month-old Olivia Atherton and her mum Alison, from Keswick Way, Rainford.

While third place was awarded to another brown-eyed beauty, seven-month-old Alexandra Hudson and her mum Jaqueline, from Woodlands Road, Haresfinch.

The judges who had the difficult task of choosing the Mother and Baby winners were: Peter Lever, assistant manager Church Square Shopping Centre; Karen Clarke, deputy advertisement manager St Helens Star; the Mayoress of St Helens, Mrs Esther Worth; Jill Daniels, senior travel consultant United Norwest Co-op Travel; Jenny Lloyd, Show organiser - St Helens Council; Paul Schofield, logistics executive Rosco Clothing.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.