BOLTON'S biggest ever BEN Child of the Year competition brought thousands of votes from readers . . . and success for a tiny tot who never stops talking.

Two-year-old Naomi Jade Ward from Halliwell received the most votes among the 36 finalists in the 1996 contest.

They had been selected from 1,006 entrants who all had their photographs taken by Bolton experts Manor, Kay and Foley.

These were then published in the BEN, making this year's entry twice the size of the previous year's contest.

And when readers were invited to vote for their favourites from the finalists, we had a further record-breaker with 12,425 votes pouring in.

The winner in the 0 to 2 years age-group, and overall winner of the title of BEN Child of the Year 1996, was little Naomi. Her cute curls and sunny smile captured the imagination of many readers. "We never thought she'd win, though," explained mum Yvonne Anderton.

She and proud dad Simon Ward already think that Naomi looks a little cracker - when she stops talking long enough to have her picture taken!

But they're all delighted with the win, especially as it means they can now have a wonderful family holiday on Portugal's Algarve, courtesy of sponsors Aquasun Travel and Sunworld Skybargains.

And Aquasun managing director Mr Geoff Bromilow was on hand at the presentation at Newspaper House to congratulate Naomi, and wish all the family a happy holiday.

Naomi also received a trophy and cheque for £250 from the BEN and a beautiful, wall enlarged framed portrait of herself from Manor, Kay and Foley.

Winner in the 3 to 7 years age-group was Rebecca Jade Williams who was five last week. Mum Joanne Roberts only entered Rebecca in the competition by chance. She was out shopping in Bolton town centre, noticed photographs being taken in The Market Place, and decided to get Rebecca's done.

The winning result, however, means a £200 cheque from the BEN, and a lovely wall portrait for the couple's Great Lever home. It also means that Rebecca will have plenty to tell her fellow pupils in Mrs Grundy's class at St Simon and St Jude's Primary School - and that she can buy some more clothes and furniture for her favourite Barbie doll.

The winner in the 8 to 12 age-group was eight-year-old Ryan Luke Rogers. The talented young footballer scored a big hit with Bolton readers - even though he's a committed Manchester United fan and idolises David Beckham! But Colin Todd might like to make a note of this lad from Little Lever. As a striker for Radcliffe Borough junior football team, Ryan has already scored 43 goals this season.

He plans to use part of his £200 prize money to buy himself the new Manchester United kit, plus a gift for his three years-old sister Laina and something for his two sets of grandparents.

Parents Janine and Gary Rogers are also able to enjoy a long-term reminder of their son's success with a large wall portrait from Manor, Kay and Foley. SIX lucky BEN readers who voted in the competition each win £50 after their names were drawn out. They are: John Guthrie, Long Lane, Bolton; Peter Dearden, Glen Avenue, Worsley; Mr E Bamford, Longsight Lodge, Harwood; Darren Rowlands, Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe; Kerry Greenall, Captain Lees Road, Westhoughton and Caroline Holt, Townsfield Road, Westhoughton.

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