A TODDLER who has a rare genetic disorder has won a modelling competition, beating over 200 young children to be the face of a photo agency.

Harrison Evans, from Newbridge, was diagnosed with the condition, Williams Syndrome, a week after his first birthday.

The condition means he has heart issues, hernias, suffers severe jaundice, pulmonary stenosis, gets tired when walking and lacks sleep hormones.

But the two year old has beaten over 200 entries into a competition to become the face of Amplified Studios.

Speaking about his condition, his mother Sarah Bennett-Evans, 33, said: “It's hard work, it really is. He is a slow developer through the syndrome and can’t communicate as he can’t talk, so he gets really frustrated.

“He was born a month premature with a caesarean section and I knew something wasn’t right when I first took him home.”

At the age of just four and five months, Harrison underwent two operations on his groin.

Mrs Bennett-Evans described winning the competition as “amazing” adding that it was really good to raise awareness of Williams Syndrome, which is still unknown to many.

The rareness of the condition means that of the 20 professionals involved in Harrison’s care, only one has dealt with a Williams Syndrome sufferer before.

Mrs Bennett-Evans added: “Winning the award was amazing, the whole day was lovely and to be picked to model against what my dad described as ‘normal people with no bothers’. He has so many worries but can still do so well.

“To get Harri to co-operate on the day he had to watch Peppa Pig, as part of his condition means he has security and sensory issues which have meant he can’t feed himself. But Peppa Pig makes him relax.”

Mrs Bennett-Evans originally found out about the competition through an advert on social media.

The photo-shoot took place for Amplified Studios on the March 3, the same day as the birthday of Harrison’s grandad Michael Bennett, 83, who came along for support.

It was done in a Victorian style and Mrs Evans said he “looked so lovely but a little bit like Oliver Twist”.

Mrs Bennett-Evans had to give up a career as a trained massage therapist since Harrison was born.

She added: “It’s difficult, I look after Harri full time whilst my husband is works. What with the lack of sleep, Harri’s twice a week check-ups and one-to-one nursery I feel like I never stop.

“But I wouldn’t change a thing and Harri is so nice, if you’re in a supermarket he will say ‘hiya’ to everyone there, it was his first word, and that niceness is the positive of Williams Syndrome.”

To learn more about Williams Syndrome visit williams-syndrome.org.uk