PEOPLE power voted in the BEN's Child of the Year for 1998 . . . and the winner is as cute as a "button"!

Hayley Sophia Button from Sharples captured readers' hearts in the first year the competition was handed over to the public to judge.

The youngster, who celebrates her fourth birthday later this month, is now set to take mum and dad, Deborah and Kevin, on the £1,000 prize seven-night holiday to the Algarve, courtesy of competition sponsors Aquasun and Sunworld Skybargains.

Her prize also includes a trophy and £250 from the BEN, plus an enlarged framed portrait by Manor, Kay & Foley.

And Hayley's delighted mum, Deborah, greeted the news, saying: "We have never won anything before - and it feels great."

More than 10,000 votes were sent in by readers in a staggering response to the BEN handing over the judging to the public.

Hayley was the overall winner out of 849 entries submitted. She also won the 3-to-7 year age group category.

The little girl, whose sweet smile is framed by her long pig-tails, has entered the BEN Child of the Year contest each year since she was born in 1995. But this time she was spurred on by the success of her friend, Katie Ella Greenwood, who won last year's title.

Mum, Deborah, said: "Katie is one of Hayley's friends. Last year she kept asking me why Katie's picture kept on appearing in the paper and I just told her it was because she smiled for the camera properly.

"So when I took Hayley down this year to have her picture taken for the contest, she took time to compose herself!

"Her grandfather is a keen photographer so she is used to being in front of the camera - and is a bit of a poser.

"I feel so excited for Hayley now she has won."

The youngster, who goes to Eagley County Nursery School, and High View Nursery School, enjoys ballet and tap, and is described by her mum as a "real little chatterbox". She will officially be able to celebrate her success at her birthday party due to be held on Saturday.

Little George Andrew Platt, from Radcliffe, who celebrated his first birthday last month, won the birth-to-two age category, and the prize of £200 and a portrait photograph.

And eight-year-old Scott Burns from Breightmet won the eight-to-12 age category, also scooping £200 cash and a portrait photograph.

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