They posed, smiled and generally looked nothing other than gorgeous.

Now all the work has paid off as the winners of the Kent Messenger’s Cute Kids competition have been announced.

The 2016 winner is one-year-old Loki Thomis, of Suffolk Road, Maidstone, whose family will receive a £500 gift card from The Mall, a Kikiland monthly pass and a T-shirt.

Second placed is Louie Ambler, who is two and lives in Lynley Close, Maidstone, while in third is three-year-old Archie Smith from Yalding.

The trio were crowned after 10 days of voting. Photos were taken with The Photography Company at The Mall, Maidstone.

Louie’s family receive a £250 Mall gift card and Kikiland monthly pass while a £100 Mall gift card and Kikiland family ticket are on its way to Archie and family.

Future editions of the Kent Messenger will feature the presentation of the prizes.