It can only be a matter of time before large numbers of people are frantically liquidating investments . . . in order to afford the annual Christmas toy bill.

This week the administrator of SuperToys, the Irish owned independent toy store group, estimated that the Christmas toy market was worth £67 million. On average, he estimates, each child under 12 will benefit from an average of £83 of toys this Christmas, with the toy market in recent years being characterised by higher spending on fewer children.

Barbie Dolls, Action Men and Barney the Dinosaur toys are expected to be the leading investments this Christmas. Though the trick for parents will be to find something which offers a return after St Stephen's Day.