CHRISTMAS came early for patients at the Oxford Children's Hospital when they were asked to try out the official top ten toys for the festive season.

Youngsters were testing out the chart-toppers yesterday courtesy of battery company Duracell, which has compiled the festive toy survey for the last eight years.

The top ten was revealed for the first time at the children's hospital, based at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington, and showed that action toys were still firm favourites for boys, while girls chose cuddly animals to play with.

Erica Watson, senior play specialist at the hospital, said it was a great opportunity for youngsters to play with the must-have toys.

She said: "It was a good chance for the children and for us to see how the children played with the toys.

"It also seemed to be something the parents enjoyed getting involved with."

All the toys, including the number one Transformers Optimus arm blaster and the second place Li'l Luvables Fluffy Factory, were approved by the children in the Tom's ward playroom after being given out by the Duracell bunny.

As well as revealing the toys - many of which were fresh off the production line - Duracell donated a set of the top ten to the children's hospital.

The company has completed a toy survey to discover what five to ten-year-olds want in their stockings since 1999.

Children from the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Sweden are surveyed before the results are compiled.

Child psychologist Dr Richard Woolfson, who yesterday visited the children's hospital with Duracell, said: "Children are influenced by the media and the Transformers programme.

"They are not becoming less creative, and often need a trigger for their imagination and that often comes from the media - just as I would have played cowboys and Indians after watching the movies."

The Moon Sand Castle proved to be the most popular toy on the ward.

Ms Watson said: "What's even better is that we have been given the chance to keep the toys."

The top ten toys:

  • 1. Transformers Optimus Arm Blaster (Hasbro)
  • 2. Li'l Luvables Fluffy Factory (Spin Master)
  • 3. HW Blast & Crash (Mattel)
  • 4. Amazing Lexie (Mattel)
  • 5. Moon Sand Castle (Spin Master)
  • 6. Transformer Optimus Helmet, above (Hasbro)
  • 7. Girl / Boy Digital Camera (Fisher Price)
  • 8. Pixel Chix Secret Life Pets Assortment (Mattel)
  • 9. Flagship Battlers, below (Mega Brands)
  • 10. Roboquad (Character Options)