This year's Times Guardian Cute Kids’ competition is going global.

For the first time, people will be able to take part in the voting by text message.

This means all those grannies in Gran Canaria, aunties in Anglesey and uncles in Ukraine can enjoy the fun too.

Traditionally, people have had to buy the paper to see the Cute Kids, but this year we’re putting the youngsters online as well.

The pictures will appear first, each Wednesday, in the paper before being uploaded to this website the following Monday.

In the paper and online will be instructions on how to vote by text, including the cost.

We will continue to publish the voting form in the paper for those who prefer the traditional method.

Editor Matt Ramsden said: “Cute Kids is one of the most popular promotions we’re involved with and attracts a fantastic number of entrants each year.

“By introducing text voting, we’re hoping to get all those family members and friends who don’t live on Sheppey involved.

“It also makes it easier for all those proud parents who want to keep voting for their child without having to fill in lots of forms.”

For the first batch of Cute Kids, details on how to vote and closing date, see this week's paper or click on the Cute Kids' icon to the right of this story.