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Christmas toys aimed at obesity

By Jonathan Prynn, Evening Standard Consumer Affairs Editor Last updated at 00:00am on 06.10.04

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Trampolines are tipped to be among the most popular Christmas gifts this year as parents try to stop their couch potato children getting fat.

They feature in predictions of the most wanted toys this year amid an array of dolls, games and character figures such as Pokemon.

Ben Green, chairman of the Toy Retailers Association, said sales of trampolines had started to accelerate in the summer with coverage of the obesity epidemic.

He said: "These trampolines can provide all the family with exciting entertainment."

They range between £150 and £300 and are seen as the ideal antidote to 'passive' toys such as Gameboys and PlayStations. Demand has been so strong some retailers have reported shortages of trampolines.

Older games also feature in predictions, with classics like Buckaroo, Twister and Cluedo expected to be top sellers.

More than £1 billion worth of toys are expected to be sold in Britain in the next three months, around half the total sales for the year.