Series of unlikely coincidences as Brayden wins cute kids competition at Asda Coatbridge – and 17 years later he works there

When he was just four years old Brayden Allan won a "cute kids" photo competition held in Asda Coatbridge – and nearly 17 years later he's working there!

The connections don't stop there ... Brayden discovered that his girlfriend, Denver Ormond, also took part in the competition, with her baby picture published next to his in the local paper all those years ago.

Brayden, who's 20, didn't know about his claim to fame until he found some old cuttings from the Coatbridge and Airdrie Advertiser in a box in the attic.

He said: "I was just searching the loft when I found them; it was unbelievable. I think there were different age categories in the competition and I won – I've got a wee trophy too.

"As soon as I saw Denver in the cuttings too I just started shouting, I couldn't believe it!

"I've been ribbing my girlfriend ever since, as she never won. She was in a younger category. I've shown quite a lot of people at work the cuttings and they were all happy for me."

Brayden has been dating Denver, who's 18, for eight months after meeting her at the barbers he goes to where her mum works.

Brayden has worked in the home & leisure department at Asda Coatbridge for four years, and his dad Kevin works in the store's bakery. He's worked at Asda for 16 years.

Brayden's mum Joanne said: "We've been shopping at Asda for years; it's our local store. The competition that Brayden won was a photo shoot that Asda were doing with the local newspaper.

"I was surprised that he won as there were quite a few kids that had been entered. We won a trophy, a large canvas print and a voucher.

"We'd never actually talked about the baby competition before so if we hadn't found the cuttings we'd never have known that Denver had been entered too. It's all so very strange. Brayden still looks the same, though he's got skinnier and taller!"

Asda Coatbridge's community champion Ann Binks was working at the store 17 years ago when the competition took place.

She said: "When Brayden brought the cuttings in it was a real blast from the past. I remember those competitions well – I used to help the mums get organised with their babies and children."

Brayden's story has been featured by news media including the Daily Record, and when Asda posted about him on Facebook hundreds of customers commented to relate to the story and share their own experiences of entering similar competitions. Comments included:

• "Awe my wee girl and nephew were featured in this competition too!"

• "My son won Asda one too many yrs ago"

• "I'm 44 and still tell everyone one I won best looking girl competition in Brent Cross shopping centre I still have the trophy too 😂"

• "Haha love how he has bragging rights over the gf - brilliant"

• "Such a lovely story And you are a lovely looking couple, all the best for your future. Well done Asda, always a caring brilliant shop👍😊"

• "So cute and Brayden is a lovely young man and always very helpful xx"

• "Brayden helps Alfie get his cars in Asda Coatbridge! Danielle Meek xx"

• "So cute ….. destiny is a thing 💕"

• "Aww still both beautiful 😊"

• "Welp I love everything about this 🥰"

• "so cute. Love happy stories like this x"

Denver's gran, Anne Ormond, commented on the Asda Facebook post to explain how she took part in the competition. She commented: "If you paid for a photograph you got entered into the Coatbridge and Airdrie Advertiser competition. I took Denver to Asda that day to get the photograph taken, she was 2 years old at the time and wanted lip gloss on, pale pink lol. Got the photograph, large and small canvas all for the price of the photo. I'm happy Denver made a good choice of boyfriend, Brayden treats her well."