Henry Austin gets some willing young volunteers to test the toys that might be weighing down Santa in less than three weeks' time.

PLAYGROUND craze toys are set be the big sellers this Christmas as Bolton retailers prepare for the seasonal rush.

Grateful parents will be breathing a sigh of relief as the annual queues disappear outside the shops for the must-have toy -- because there is no product dominating the market like the Teletubbies and Buzz Lightyears of past years.

This year it looks as though the old schoolyard favourites are set to make a big return. With a kind donation from Woolworth's Stores in Bolton, the Bolton Evening News took a selection of toys which the manufacturers think will do well to Christ's Church School, Harwood, where we gave pupils the 'tough' task of testing the toys.

The first one sampled was Beyblades, a modern twist on the spinning top which can be customised by each child and are whirling their way out of the stores.

Manager of Toy'sRUs Bolton, Michael Finney said: "They are literally flying off the shelves!

"To say we are selling lots and lots would be an understatement."

This toy was more popular with the boys, who were clearly already well up to speed in both constructing and playing with them.

Tom Waldran, aged seven, said: "I think it is great, they are really good fun and I would really like one for Christmas."

It is also predicted that the Micro Pets craze, currently taking Japan by storm, will catch on in England over the festive period.

A distant relation of the Tamogochis which were an popular a few years ago, the pocket sized pals are now interactive and trained to respond to their owner's voice.

These clearly caught the imagination of all the children. They were enthralled by the walking, barking and trick performing dog.

Kieran Hennessey, aged seven,, said, "This is brilliant because when you say its name it follows you. I have already got one but I really want another."

Harry Potter fans will already have sent off their list to Father Christmas and merchandise attached to the new film is expected to disappear from the shops.

The trainee wizard remains a firm favourite for many young people and as a consequence the Chamber of Secrets Lego, is expected to fly off the shelves and become a top seller this Christmas.

Mr Finney said: "Anything with Harry Potter has disappeared like magic since the release of the film. We can't get the stuff onto the shop floor fast enough."

Spider-Man is also set to net a large slice of the market after the huge summer blockbuster.

The Flip and Trap toy and the Skyrider playset are expected to be the most popular in a range that also includes action figures and costumes based on the webbed wonder.

Woolworths company spokeswoman, Nicole Landerm said: "Films always catch the imagination of the toy market. Both Harry Potter and Spider-Man have done so this year and we are getting top sales."

Back at Christ's Church school, the boys pounced on the spider car.

Tom, said, "I think Spider-Man is the best because I watch on TV all the time. I really like the spider it shoots out the front."

The cuddly characters from children's TV show The Fimbles are also being hotly tipped to be the new Teletubbies.

With no single product leading the Christmas wish list, retailers are also seeing steady sales of more traditional toys such as dolls.

The ever popular Barbie, this year reinvented as Rapunzel is predicted by Woolworths to be their top seller of the year.

More traditional cloth bodied dolls are also selling better this year than in the past with Baby Annabel and newer ranges like Bratz dolls making them relevant to the girls of today.

But Barbie scored poorly with our young crowd. She received no votes on the Christmas wish list of our youngsters.

Both the male and female Bratz, which have interchangeable parts were however very popular among the girls.

Karen Richards, aged seven, said, "I really like them and I would love to get one from Father Christmas."

Computer consoles such as Sony's Playstation 2 and the Microsoft Xbox and accompanying games are also proving popular.

Mr Finney added: "They are shifting like hotcakes at the moment but how many of them are for children over 21 we don't know.

"No one toy is that much in demand that we have run out of stock and we are selling things right across the range so in that respect it is very pleasing for us."

Top Ten Toy predictions 2002 from the British Association of Toy Retailers

Baby Annabel: Zapf

Barbie Rapunzel: Mattel

Beyblades: Hasbro

Bratz: Bandai

Fimbles: Mattel

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Lego

Leappad: Leapfrog

Micro Pets: Tomy

Ready Steady Cook Popcorn Maker: Character Options

Spiderman 'Flip and Trap': Vivid

Top 3 Toys for 2001

Power Rangers Figures: Bandai

Dyson Vacuum: Casdon

Rumble Bots: Character Options

Top 3 Toys

for 2000

Scooters: Generic

Teksta: Vivid Imaginations

Who Wants to be a Millionaire (Interactive Board Game): Tiger Electronics

Top 3 Toys for 1999

Pokemon: Nintendo

Furby Babies0: Tiger Electronics

WWF Wrestlers: Kidz Biz