With only a few shopping days left until Christmas, toy stores across the district are bracing themselves for a rush of shoppers on the look-out for last minute bargains. Isobel Fox looks at this year's festive favourites - and trading standards officers give their advice on how to avoid a Christmas catastrophe.

PARENTS EVERYWHERE must be breathing a sigh of relief - there's no single must-have toy for children in Bradford this Christmas!

In sharp contrast to previous years when mums and dads had to queue round the clock to buy that much sought after Furbie or Buzz Lightyear, this year's Christmas present list seems to be much more diverse.

Although some toys are selling better than others - Pokemon and Furby Babies featuring in most letters to Father Christmas - there's no outstanding trend of must-have toys among the district's youngsters this year.

At Wiley's Toymaster in Bradford, wrestling figures, Furby Babies and Pokemon are among the better selling brands.

Owner Sue Wiley said: "There hasn't been one particular item on people's list this year - it's a general rush for a range of toys.

"It's good for us because we haven't had any problems with supplies - we can get more of what we want and we haven't had any problems with supply.

"Although October was busy, sales trailed off a little in November, but it's picked up again now and hopefully it will continue to do so."

At Shipley's Jimmy G's Toystore, again it's a question of high demand across a range of stock.

"Last year it was Furbies, the year before that it was Teletubbies, but this year there's not been a single popular request," said a spokesman.

"It's been a steady demand over the whole spectrum of toys."

The British Association of Toy Retailers meanwhile place Pokemon and Furby Babies at number one of the most sought-after toys this year, with WWF wrestlers in third place and Who Wants to be a Millionaire coming fourth.

Chairman David Fogel said: "Probably because there isn't a strong destination toy, this is a very open Christmas.

"We have a joint number one, but some items in the chart could rise or fall, and some could drop out of the frame as the customers make their choice."

But if you're one of those last-minute shoppers who still hasn't found time to go out and buy gifts, Trading Standards officers are urging vigilance.

During sporadic raids over the last few weeks, officers have seized thousands of pounds-worth of fake or faulty goods on sale to the public as bona fide items.

One such instance was at Bingley Car Boot Sale at Bingley Auction Mart on November 28, when trading standards officers seized £42,000-worth of faulty CDs and PlayStation games.

Spokesman for West Yorkshire Trading Standards Paul Cooper said: "Always make sure you buy goods from bona fide outlets, not car boot sales or Sunday markets.

"Although they appear to be a bargain, when they don't work, or only contain a minority of what they say they contain, that's far from value for money."

A spokesman from the Anti-Couterfeiting Group is reinforcing the message to Bradford shoppers to be on their guard against unscrupulous traders.

"Computer games in particular are ones to look out for this year," said a spokesman.

Trading Standards officers say there are several safety messages to remember when buying toys.

Mr Cooper said: "There's been specific toy safety regulations in place for 25 years and the majority of manufacturers and traders know exactly what they have to do.

"A toy which is suitable for a 14-year-old could be very dangerous in the hands of a six-year-old. You have to make a judgement and think 'is this suitable for the type of person I'm buying it for'?

"Have regard to the manufacturers recommendations - parents should regularly check their children's toys.

"They have to be designed to withstand wear and tear and a measured amount of abuse.

"But it's when toys become broken that they become dangerous and develop harmful features."

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