Firm’s joy at trio of top toys

Top toy: Girls’ Fruit Factory

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

BAD news about Christmas trading turned to good news this week when three toys from Character Group were named best new products.

The toys, distributed by Toy Options at Leesbrook Mill, Lees, part of Character Group, were selected at the annual Toy Fair held at the ExCel exhibition centre in London’s docklands.

And despite competition from industry giants Hasbro and Lego, the products from the firm — Girls’ Fruit Factory, night vision goggles and armed forces action figures — were in the top 33 toys.

Last week the group said its sales had been hit by the collapse of Woolworths and the downturn in the economy.

It suffered a poor Christmas trading period with sales down by 35 per cent against the comparable period in 2007.

The business, which has its main logistics and distribution hub at Leesbrook Mill, was hit by the closure of the Woolworths’ stores, one of its largest UK customers.

But Jerry Healy, the marketing director, speaking to the Chronicle from ExCel said: “This really is a feather in our cap.

“We are continuing to develop new products, and although economic considerations are on everyone’s minds, it is good news to be picked for best toys.”