UK BREXIT CHRISTMAS

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTIONS: AP CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 6:26

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

London, UK - 29 October 2018

1. Close of British Lion Christmas decoration, by Aerloom London, at the Spirit of Christmas Fair 2018 at Olympia London

2. Mid of crown Christmas decoration being placed between two British Bulldog decorations

3. Wide of display featuring various Christmas decorations by Aerloom London

4. Founder of Aerloom London Ania Zankowska speaking to customer

UPSOUND (English) Customer: "Are these sprouts or cabbages?"

Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London: "Sprouts. The idea was to create a Brussels Sprout"

5. Mid of stand of Brussels Sprout decorations next to Aerloom London gift bags

6. Top shot of Brussels Sprouts decorations next to cracker decoration reading 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"It was just natural to go with the British theme to celebrate the fact that I live in the Kingdom, which obviously was very unusual for me coming from Poland. So the first collection comprised of typically British pieces and they are very popular now, not just in Britain but all around the world."

8. Mid of Queen decoration in front of Corgi decoration

9. Pull focus on side angle of Queen decoration

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"I'm not feeling it (Brexit) yet, of course we're all very much curious about what's going to happen in the future. I'm remaining very positive. I work very closely with the Department of Trade and Investment, who assure me that the situation will be well monitored and the support I've received will be continued."

11. Mid of stand of Brussels Sprouts decoration

12. Top shot of Zankowska organising boxes of decorations

13. Tilt down wreath with decorations

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"The best sellers in my collection are the Queen ornaments, the bulldogs and the lions and this is very much supported by the sales with the British retailers and I think everyone feels immensely proud to be British during Christmas time."

15. Close of bow being tied on gift bag

16. Wide of visitors walking past Christmas tree at Spirit of Christmas event

17. Tilt down from ceiling of Olympia to stands at Spirit of Christmas

18. Wide of visitors walking past Village Workshop stand

19. Tilt up of gingerbread Big Ben

20. Wide of gingerbread Big Ben

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"I was really looking for something iconic that will relate to England, and if you see Big Ben then immediately it's London, it's England."

22. Mid of Radcliffe arranging gingerbread houses on stand

23. Mid of gingerbread items on stand

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"We sell through online shops and they distribute to Europe and they haven't given us any indication that things will be changing. For this year definitely we haven't seen any change, no repercussions at all."

25. Tilt up gingerbread Big Ben

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"Well I think people like to associate what they are buying as made in England. I think on that line, yes, here people are quite aware of where it's coming from, so made in England is quite a lot of difference."

27. Close of top of Big Ben

28. Wide of Eadie family members working on The Oxton Liqueur Company stand

29. Mid of customer trying flavoured liqueur

30. Various of flavoured liqueur bottles

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Eadie, Owner, The Oxton Liqueur Company

"Well in the run up to Brexit we've seen the currency move from about 140 to about 110 (British pound to Euro), so we've seen an increase in the price of goods that we buy from Europe of about 25 per cent. So that for us is all our glass, that comes from Italy, from Germany and from France. So already there's been a huge impact, what will happen after Brexit we'll have to see, but time will tell."

32. Mid of flavoured liqueur bottles

33. Customer trying flavoured liqueur

34. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Eadie, Owner, The Oxton Liqueur Company

"You know the exchange rate swung 25 percent, it may turn around, there may be a movement in the other direction, that would be good. Obviously for people exporting it's been incredibly beneficial. So it depends on which side you're on as to whether you've benefited or whether you haven't."

35. Mid of flavoured liqueur bottles on front of stand

36. Wide of visitors climbing stairs in event hall with shopping bags

37. SOUNDBITE (English) Stuart Hunter, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events (Organisers of Spirit of Christmas Fair)

"At the moment in terms of Brexit having any impact to us and the show we're not seeing any, but obviously we do have a lot of conversations with our exhibitors and obviously there's some nervousness, I think certainly probably overall this year in terms of the trade side of business, there's been a bit of a sluggish approach to some of the retail elements."

38. Mid of packaged Christmas puddings

39. Mid of Christmas pudding in front of wooden boxes reading (English) "Made in the UK"

40. SOUNDBITE (English) Stuart Hunter, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events (Organisers of Spirit of Christmas Fair)

"It remains to be seen whether the spend will be the same as we are on site this week, we'll find that out, exhibitors will tell us. We measure that post show as well so we do lots of research. But on the evidence of today it's felt busy, buzzy, lots of shopping bags going out of the doors, so it feels like it's business as usual for us."

41. Mid of bauble on Christmas tree

LEADIN:

The UK is preparing for its final Christmas before leaving the European Union.

Retailers at the annual Spirit of Christmas event in London have mixed feelings about how Brexit will affect future trade.

STORYLINE

The British lion: a symbol of pride and patriotism in the UK.

But as Britain prepares to leave the EU there is ongoing uncertainty about the country's future - not least about how it will affect trade.

At this year's Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia in London, retailers and exhibitors are showcasing their goods for the festive period.

Ania Zankowska, the founder of Aerloom London, has an array of quintessentially British looking Christmas decorations. As well as a lion she has the Queen, corgis, crowns and British bulldogs.

And as we approach Brexit she's even got "Brussels" Sprouts.  

As someone who originated from Europe - she was born in Poland - her British pieces were originally a celebration of her move to the UK.

She says they remain incredibly popular to this day: "Not just in Britain but all around the world."

With business still booming Zankowska says she hasn't suffered any negative effects from Brexit yet:

"I'm remaining very positive. I work very closely with the Department of Trade and Investment, who assure me that the situation will be well monitored and the support I've received will be continued," she says.

Another exhibitor selling iconic British images this Christmas is the founder of Village Workshop, Itet Radcliffe.

Amongst her traditional gingerbread houses stands a large, gingerbread Big Ben, with Santa hanging off the top.

She says unless the online sites she sells through change their rules, after Britain officially leaves the EU on 29 March 2019, her business should remain stable:

"We sell through online shops and they distribute to Europe and they haven't given us any indication that things will be changing. For this year definitely we haven't seen any change, no repercussions at all," she says.

And she believes there is something about British made goods which still gives people the confidence to buy:

"Well I think people like to associate what they are buying as made in England. I think on that line, yes, here people are quite aware of where it's coming from, so made in England is quite a lot of difference."

While decorations representing British culture look to become a trend this Christmas, another product which will be popular is flavoured spirits and liqueurs.

The Oxton Liqueur Company is a family run business which hand makes fruity liqueurs from a farm in Nottinghamshire.

This year, alongside their Elderflower Gin and Bramble Whisky, they are showing off a Christmas Vodka.

But while the drinks themselves are very much made in Britain - the glass they sell them in comes from Europe. Owner of The Oxton Liqueur Company Christopher Eadie says Brexit related fluctuations in currency have come at a cost for him:

"We've seen an increase in the price of goods that we buy from Europe of about 25 per cent. So that for us is all our glass, that comes from Italy, from Germany and from France. So already there's been a huge impact, what will happen after Brexit we'll have to see," he says.

The Spirit of Christmas Fair is all about shopping and often a good indicator of consumer confidence and spending power.

Organisers say this year was a record year for visitor and exhibitor attendance.

Stuart Hunter is a Portfolio Director at Clarion Events which organises the Spirit of Christmas Fair.

He says Brexit is hot topic: "We do have a lot of conversations with our exhibitors and obviously there's some nervousness,"

However he adds:

"On the evidence of today it's felt busy, buzzy, lots of shopping bags going out of the doors, so it feels like it's business as usual for us."

The Spirit of Christmas Fair 2018 is on at Olympia London from 29 October to 4 November 2018.

====

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com.

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

LEADIN:

The UK is preparing for its final Christmas before leaving the European Union.

Retailers at the annual Spirit of Christmas event in London have mixed feelings about how Brexit will affect future trade.

STORYLINE

The British lion: a symbol of pride and patriotism in the UK.

But as Britain prepares to leave the EU there is ongoing uncertainty about the country's future - not least about how it will affect trade.

At this year's Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia in London, retailers and exhibitors are showcasing their goods for the festive period.

Ania Zankowska, the founder of Aerloom London, has an array of quintessentially British looking Christmas decorations. As well as a lion she has the Queen, corgis, crowns and British bulldogs.

And as we approach Brexit she's even got "Brussels" Sprouts.  

As someone who originated from Europe - she was born in Poland - her British pieces were originally a celebration of her move to the UK.

She says they remain incredibly popular to this day: "Not just in Britain but all around the world."

With business still booming Zankowska says she hasn't suffered any negative effects from Brexit yet:

"I'm remaining very positive. I work very closely with the Department of Trade and Investment, who assure me that the situation will be well monitored and the support I've received will be continued," she says.

Another exhibitor selling iconic British images this Christmas is the founder of Village Workshop, Itet Radcliffe.

Amongst her traditional gingerbread houses stands a large, gingerbread Big Ben, with Santa hanging off the top.

She says unless the online sites she sells through change their rules, after Britain officially leaves the EU on 29 March 2019, her business should remain stable:

"We sell through online shops and they distribute to Europe and they haven't given us any indication that things will be changing. For this year definitely we haven't seen any change, no repercussions at all," she says.

And she believes there is something about British made goods which still gives people the confidence to buy:

"Well I think people like to associate what they are buying as made in England. I think on that line, yes, here people are quite aware of where it's coming from, so made in England is quite a lot of difference."

While decorations representing British culture look to become a trend this Christmas, another product which will be popular is flavoured spirits and liqueurs.

The Oxton Liqueur Company is a family run business which hand makes fruity liqueurs from a farm in Nottinghamshire.

This year, alongside their Elderflower Gin and Bramble Whisky, they are showing off a Christmas Vodka.

But while the drinks themselves are very much made in Britain - the glass they sell them in comes from Europe. Owner of The Oxton Liqueur Company Christopher Eadie says Brexit related fluctuations in currency have come at a cost for him:

"We've seen an increase in the price of goods that we buy from Europe of about 25 per cent. So that for us is all our glass, that comes from Italy, from Germany and from France. So already there's been a huge impact, what will happen after Brexit we'll have to see," he says.

The Spirit of Christmas Fair is all about shopping and often a good indicator of consumer confidence and spending power.

Organisers say this year was a record year for visitor and exhibitor attendance.

Stuart Hunter is a Portfolio Director at Clarion Events which organises the Spirit of Christmas Fair.

He says Brexit is hot topic: "We do have a lot of conversations with our exhibitors and obviously there's some nervousness,"

However he adds:

"On the evidence of today it's felt busy, buzzy, lots of shopping bags going out of the doors, so it feels like it's business as usual for us."

The Spirit of Christmas Fair 2018 is on at Olympia London from 29 October to 4 November 2018.

London, UK - 29 October 2018

1. Close of British Lion Christmas decoration, by Aerloom London, at the Spirit of Christmas Fair 2018 at Olympia London

2. Mid of crown Christmas decoration being placed between two British Bulldog decorations

3. Wide of display featuring various Christmas decorations by Aerloom London

4. Founder of Aerloom London Ania Zankowska speaking to customer

UPSOUND (English) Customer: "Are these sprouts or cabbages?"

Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London: "Sprouts. The idea was to create a Brussels Sprout"

5. Mid of stand of Brussels Sprout decorations next to Aerloom London gift bags

6. Top shot of Brussels Sprouts decorations next to cracker decoration reading 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"It was just natural to go with the British theme to celebrate the fact that I live in the Kingdom, which obviously was very unusual for me coming from Poland. So the first collection comprised of typically British pieces and they are very popular now, not just in Britain but all around the world."

8. Mid of Queen decoration in front of Corgi decoration

9. Pull focus on side angle of Queen decoration

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"I'm not feeling it (Brexit) yet, of course we're all very much curious about what's going to happen in the future. I'm remaining very positive. I work very closely with the Department of Trade and Investment, who assure me that the situation will be well monitored and the support I've received will be continued."

11. Mid of stand of Brussels Sprouts decoration

12. Top shot of Zankowska organising boxes of decorations

13. Tilt down wreath with decorations

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"The best sellers in my collection are the Queen ornaments, the bulldogs and the lions and this is very much supported by the sales with the British retailers and I think everyone feels immensely proud to be British during Christmas time."

15. Close of bow being tied on gift bag

16. Wide of visitors walking past Christmas tree at Spirit of Christmas event

17. Tilt down from ceiling of Olympia to stands at Spirit of Christmas

18. Wide of visitors walking past Village Workshop stand

19. Tilt up of gingerbread Big Ben

20. Wide of gingerbread Big Ben

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"I was really looking for something iconic that will relate to England, and if you see Big Ben then immediately it's London, it's England."

22. Mid of Radcliffe arranging gingerbread houses on stand

23. Mid of gingerbread items on stand

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"We sell through online shops and they distribute to Europe and they haven't given us any indication that things will be changing. For this year definitely we haven't seen any change, no repercussions at all."

25. Tilt up gingerbread Big Ben

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"Well I think people like to associate what they are buying as made in England. I think on that line, yes, here people are quite aware of where it's coming from, so made in England is quite a lot of difference."

27. Close of top of Big Ben

28. Wide of Eadie family members working on The Oxton Liqueur Company stand

29. Mid of customer trying flavoured liqueur

30. Various of flavoured liqueur bottles

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Eadie, Owner, The Oxton Liqueur Company

"Well in the run up to Brexit we've seen the currency move from about 140 to about 110 (British pound to Euro), so we've seen an increase in the price of goods that we buy from Europe of about 25 per cent. So that for us is all our glass, that comes from Italy, from Germany and from France. So already there's been a huge impact, what will happen after Brexit we'll have to see, but time will tell."

32. Mid of flavoured liqueur bottles

33. Customer trying flavoured liqueur

34. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Eadie, Owner, The Oxton Liqueur Company

"You know the exchange rate swung 25 percent, it may turn around, there may be a movement in the other direction, that would be good. Obviously for people exporting it's been incredibly beneficial. So it depends on which side you're on as to whether you've benefited or whether you haven't."

35. Mid of flavoured liqueur bottles on front of stand

36. Wide of visitors climbing stairs in event hall with shopping bags

37. SOUNDBITE (English) Stuart Hunter, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events (Organisers of Spirit of Christmas Fair)

"At the moment in terms of Brexit having any impact to us and the show we're not seeing any, but obviously we do have a lot of conversations with our exhibitors and obviously there's some nervousness, I think certainly probably overall this year in terms of the trade side of business, there's been a bit of a sluggish approach to some of the retail elements."

38. Mid of packaged Christmas puddings

39. Mid of Christmas pudding in front of wooden boxes reading (English) "Made in the UK"

40. SOUNDBITE (English) Stuart Hunter, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events (Organisers of Spirit of Christmas Fair)

"It remains to be seen whether the spend will be the same as we are on site this week, we'll find that out, exhibitors will tell us. We measure that post show as well so we do lots of research. But on the evidence of today it's felt busy, buzzy, lots of shopping bags going out of the doors, so it feels like it's business as usual for us."

41. Mid of bauble on Christmas tree

+REPLAY+

UK BREXIT TRAVEL

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTIONS: AP Clients Only

LENGTH: 6:20

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

London, UK - 1 February 2019

1. Wide of visitors getting travel advice at stand in front of sign, reading (English): "This is how to holiday"

2. Close of word "Holiday"

3. Wide of Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at London's Olympia exhibition centre

4. Close of sign, reading "Europe"

5. Various of Wild Frontiers stand

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Pullman, Marketing Manager, Wild Frontiers:

"Well, from our perspective, the travel industry has proven quite resilient. We've had a really good January just passed and our stand has been really busy today with people wanting to get holiday ideas. We did see initial drop off just after the Brexit referendum result, that was largely due to currency issues, so the pound obviously lost ten percent of its value. As a result, we had to put a lot of our prices up because we price our tours in dollars in a lot of our destinations. So, we saw a bit of a drop off then. But surprisingly, despite all the current chaos, we're seeing people are very interested in travelling to far off places from Uzbekistan to Iran and further afield."

7. Wide of world map at Wild Frontiers stand

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Pullman, Marketing Manager, Wild Frontiers:

"Yes well, I'm not sure whether it's related to the current Brexit issue, but we certainly are seeing areas outside Europe growing in popularity from the Silk Road in the Middle East to Latin America as well. Quite why people are shifting their focus away from Europe and into these areas I'm not quite sure whether it's related or whether it's just (a) trend."

9. Wide of sign, reading (English): "Holidays packed full of experience"

10. Various of Cyprus stand

11. Various of Kirker Holidays stand

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ted Wake, Managing Director, Kirker Holidays:

"People have seen political changes over the course of time and people will still want to go on a decent holiday to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Russia and whatever the challenges are in the short term, they won't compromise their ambitions to have a well-tailored, carefully-planned holiday that involves exactly the right elements that they enjoy on their holidays, whether it's wine tasting, visiting a great museum, having a walking tour in a city. They're not going to forego that because of some short-term anxiety."

13. Wide of stand for holidays to the Balkans

14. Mid of stand for holidays to Europe

15. Mid of Sunvil Holiday stand, Noel Josephides, Chairman of ABTA, in background

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"What the EU has said is that you need at least six months on your passport. Technically, if in fact the passport you're holding now was issued prior to its expiry, you have to add on those months onto the six months period. So, you may find yourself having to need ten months, nine months, fifteen months. So, you have to make sure exactly where you stand by going onto the government website, putting in the details of your passport, and then literally you will be told when you have to renew."

17. Wide of Josephides speaking to show visitor

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"You need to have your pet microchipped as before, so that's nothing new. But then you must visit your vet four months before you travel. You would then need a vaccination against rabies and once you've had the results of that blood test, which usually takes several weeks after the blood test, you then have to wait three months before you can travel."

19. Various of Flight Centre stand

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"Maybe initially, the first few days we'll see difficulties, but after that people will just adjust and the countries will adjust because the last thing they want to do is to put people off going."

21. Various of Guernsey stand

22. Various of Isle of Man stand

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Ranald Caldwell, Chairman, Isle of Man Visit Agency:

"The one certainty we can rely on is that more and more people in the UK are staying at home for a holiday. With Wonga indicating that 93 percent of people in the UK are staying at home for at least one week's holiday a year and that accounts for 13 billion pounds staying within the UK and wider island economy, so as far as we're concerned, we are looking to see a further growth in numbers with people staying at home because of safety and security reasons, but also exchange rate reasons."

24. Various of Airstream mobile home vehicle

25. Mid of sign, reading (English): "Destinations: the holiday and travel show"

26. Tilt up of palm tree

LEADIN:

Britons hoping to holiday in Europe this summer are being warned that if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, they may need up to 15 months left on their passport before it expires to enable them to travel.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) also says pet owners would find it much harder to obtain a pet passport.  

STORYLINE:

As the winter months drag on, many in the UK are dreaming of - and booking up - their next holiday getaway.

Here at London's Olympia, thousands have gathered for some travel inspiration at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show. It's the UK's largest and longest running travel event.

But this year, with just under eight weeks to go until the UK is due to leave the EU, uncertainty hangs over when, where and whether to travel.

Michael Pullman is marketing manager for Wild Frontiers, an award-winning company that offers adventure holidays.

He says his company has had a strong start to the year in terms of UK holidaymakers making bookings.

"From our perspective the travel industry has proven quite resilient. We've had a really good January just passed and our stand has been really busy today with people wanting to get holiday ideas."

But there was a decline after June 2016, when the referendum result was initially announced.

"We did see initial drop off just after the Brexit referendum result, that was largely due to currency issues, the pound obviously lost ten percent of its value. As a result we had to put a lot of our prices up because we price our tours in dollars in a lot of our destinations. So we saw a bit of a drop off then. But surprisingly despite all the current chaos we're seeing people are very interested in travelling to far off places from Uzbekistan to Iran and further afield," says Pullman.

Pullman says there's an increase in people from the UK choosing to travel to places further away than Europe, but says it's unclear whether this is related to Brexit.

"I'm not sure whether it's related to current Brexit issue, but we certainly are seeing areas outside Europe growing in popularity from the Silk Road in the Middle East to Latin America as well. Quite why people are shifting their focus away from Europe and into these areas I'm not quite sure whether it's related or whether it's just a trend."

Ted Wake, managing director of Kirker Holidays, that offers luxury short breaks, says he doubts Brexit will be enough to put British people off booking holidays to Europe.

"People have seen political changes over the course of time and people will still want to go on a decent holiday," he says.

"Whatever challenges are in the short term they won't compromise their ambitions to have a well-tailored, carefully planned holiday."

So, if British people are still keen to travel to Europe after March 29 - the date the UK is due to leave the EU - what do they need to know to ensure they don't get caught out at the airport?

The latest Home Office guidance states that UK residents should have at least six months left on their passports from the date of arrival in an EU country.

But there have been suggestions that if the UK crashes out of Europe without a deal, passports many need up to 15 months left on them, potentially leaving millions of UK passports invalid.

Noel Josephides, chairman of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), says people could in fact get caught out, since the expiry date isn't always an accurate reflection of when the passport was issued.

"If in fact the passport you're holding now was issued prior to its expiry you have to add on those months onto the 6 months period. So you may find yourself having to need 10 months, 9 months, 15 months," he explains.

He adds that the safest way to check how long your passport is valid for is to put your details into the government's website.

Josephides says things will become even more complicated for people hoping to take their pets to Europe on a pet passport, should the UK leave the EU without a deal.

But he believes that any potential travel chaos after Brexit will be relatively short lived.

"People will just adjust and the countries will adjust because the last thing they want to do is to put people off going," he says.

Hundreds of tour operators and over 75 tourist boards are attending this year's Destinations travel event, from Europe and beyond, as well as the UK and its surrounding islands.

Ranald Caldwell is chairman of the Isle of Man Visit Agency.

The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. It's self-governing and not part of the UK or the EU.

Caldwell says given the amount of people in the UK choosing to "staycation" or holiday near their home, the Isle of Man could potentially benefit and become a great post-Brexit option for travellers.

"93 per cent of people in the UK are staying at home for at least a week's holiday a year and that accounts for 13 billion pounds staying within the UK and wider island economy, so as far as we're concerned, we are looking to see a further growth in numbers with people staying at home because of safety and security reasons, but also exchange rate reasons."

"Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show" ran 31 January - 3 February.

====

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com.

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

LEADIN:

Britons hoping to holiday in Europe this summer are being warned that if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, they may need up to 15 months left on their passport before it expires to enable them to travel.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) also says pet owners would find it much harder to obtain a pet passport.  

STORYLINE:

As the winter months drag on, many in the UK are dreaming of - and booking up - their next holiday getaway.

Here at London's Olympia, thousands have gathered for some travel inspiration at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show. It's the UK's largest and longest running travel event.

But this year, with just under eight weeks to go until the UK is due to leave the EU, uncertainty hangs over when, where and whether to travel.

Michael Pullman is marketing manager for Wild Frontiers, an award-winning company that offers adventure holidays.

He says his company has had a strong start to the year in terms of UK holidaymakers making bookings.

"From our perspective the travel industry has proven quite resilient. We've had a really good January just passed and our stand has been really busy today with people wanting to get holiday ideas."

But there was a decline after June 2016, when the referendum result was initially announced.

"We did see initial drop off just after the Brexit referendum result, that was largely due to currency issues, the pound obviously lost ten percent of its value. As a result we had to put a lot of our prices up because we price our tours in dollars in a lot of our destinations. So we saw a bit of a drop off then. But surprisingly despite all the current chaos we're seeing people are very interested in travelling to far off places from Uzbekistan to Iran and further afield," says Pullman.

Pullman says there's an increase in people from the UK choosing to travel to places further away than Europe, but says it's unclear whether this is related to Brexit.

"I'm not sure whether it's related to current Brexit issue, but we certainly are seeing areas outside Europe growing in popularity from the Silk Road in the Middle East to Latin America as well. Quite why people are shifting their focus away from Europe and into these areas I'm not quite sure whether it's related or whether it's just a trend."

Ted Wake, managing director of Kirker Holidays, that offers luxury short breaks, says he doubts Brexit will be enough to put British people off booking holidays to Europe.

"People have seen political changes over the course of time and people will still want to go on a decent holiday," he says.

"Whatever challenges are in the short term they won't compromise their ambitions to have a well-tailored, carefully planned holiday."

So, if British people are still keen to travel to Europe after March 29 - the date the UK is due to leave the EU - what do they need to know to ensure they don't get caught out at the airport?

The latest Home Office guidance states that UK residents should have at least six months left on their passports from the date of arrival in an EU country.

But there have been suggestions that if the UK crashes out of Europe without a deal, passports many need up to 15 months left on them, potentially leaving millions of UK passports invalid.

Noel Josephides, chairman of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), says people could in fact get caught out, since the expiry date isn't always an accurate reflection of when the passport was issued.

"If in fact the passport you're holding now was issued prior to its expiry you have to add on those months onto the 6 months period. So you may find yourself having to need 10 months, 9 months, 15 months," he explains.

He adds that the safest way to check how long your passport is valid for is to put your details into the government's website.

Josephides says things will become even more complicated for people hoping to take their pets to Europe on a pet passport, should the UK leave the EU without a deal.

But he believes that any potential travel chaos after Brexit will be relatively short lived.

"People will just adjust and the countries will adjust because the last thing they want to do is to put people off going," he says.

Hundreds of tour operators and over 75 tourist boards are attending this year's Destinations travel event, from Europe and beyond, as well as the UK and its surrounding islands.

Ranald Caldwell is chairman of the Isle of Man Visit Agency.

The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. It's self-governing and not part of the UK or the EU.

Caldwell says given the amount of people in the UK choosing to "staycation" or holiday near their home, the Isle of Man could potentially benefit and become a great post-Brexit option for travellers.

"93 per cent of people in the UK are staying at home for at least a week's holiday a year and that accounts for 13 billion pounds staying within the UK and wider island economy, so as far as we're concerned, we are looking to see a further growth in numbers with people staying at home because of safety and security reasons, but also exchange rate reasons."

"Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show" ran 31 January - 3 February.

London, UK - 1 February 2019

1. Wide of visitors getting travel advice at stand in front of sign, reading (English): "This is how to holiday"

2. Close of word "Holiday"

3. Wide of Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at London's Olympia exhibition centre

4. Close of sign, reading "Europe"

5. Various of Wild Frontiers stand

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Pullman, Marketing Manager, Wild Frontiers:

"Well, from our perspective, the travel industry has proven quite resilient. We've had a really good January just passed and our stand has been really busy today with people wanting to get holiday ideas. We did see initial drop off just after the Brexit referendum result, that was largely due to currency issues, so the pound obviously lost ten percent of its value. As a result, we had to put a lot of our prices up because we price our tours in dollars in a lot of our destinations. So, we saw a bit of a drop off then. But surprisingly, despite all the current chaos, we're seeing people are very interested in travelling to far off places from Uzbekistan to Iran and further afield."

7. Wide of world map at Wild Frontiers stand

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Pullman, Marketing Manager, Wild Frontiers:

"Yes well, I'm not sure whether it's related to the current Brexit issue, but we certainly are seeing areas outside Europe growing in popularity from the Silk Road in the Middle East to Latin America as well. Quite why people are shifting their focus away from Europe and into these areas I'm not quite sure whether it's related or whether it's just (a) trend."

9. Wide of sign, reading (English): "Holidays packed full of experience"

10. Various of Cyprus stand

11. Various of Kirker Holidays stand

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ted Wake, Managing Director, Kirker Holidays:

"People have seen political changes over the course of time and people will still want to go on a decent holiday to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Russia and whatever the challenges are in the short term, they won't compromise their ambitions to have a well-tailored, carefully-planned holiday that involves exactly the right elements that they enjoy on their holidays, whether it's wine tasting, visiting a great museum, having a walking tour in a city. They're not going to forego that because of some short-term anxiety."

13. Wide of stand for holidays to the Balkans

14. Mid of stand for holidays to Europe

15. Mid of Sunvil Holiday stand, Noel Josephides, Chairman of ABTA, in background

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"What the EU has said is that you need at least six months on your passport. Technically, if in fact the passport you're holding now was issued prior to its expiry, you have to add on those months onto the six months period. So, you may find yourself having to need ten months, nine months, fifteen months. So, you have to make sure exactly where you stand by going onto the government website, putting in the details of your passport, and then literally you will be told when you have to renew."

17. Wide of Josephides speaking to show visitor

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"You need to have your pet microchipped as before, so that's nothing new. But then you must visit your vet four months before you travel. You would then need a vaccination against rabies and once you've had the results of that blood test, which usually takes several weeks after the blood test, you then have to wait three months before you can travel."

19. Various of Flight Centre stand

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"Maybe initially, the first few days we'll see difficulties, but after that people will just adjust and the countries will adjust because the last thing they want to do is to put people off going."

21. Various of Guernsey stand

22. Various of Isle of Man stand

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Ranald Caldwell, Chairman, Isle of Man Visit Agency:

"The one certainty we can rely on is that more and more people in the UK are staying at home for a holiday. With Wonga indicating that 93 percent of people in the UK are staying at home for at least one week's holiday a year and that accounts for 13 billion pounds staying within the UK and wider island economy, so as far as we're concerned, we are looking to see a further growth in numbers with people staying at home because of safety and security reasons, but also exchange rate reasons."

24. Various of Airstream mobile home vehicle

25. Mid of sign, reading (English): "Destinations: the holiday and travel show"

26. Tilt up of palm tree

LEADIN:

Laser guns, Harry Potter wands and a poopin' puppy are just some of the must-have toys for children this Christmas.

Despite an impending Brexit, the UK toy industry says it's expecting a bumper 2018, buoyed by movie and gaming inspired gifts.

STORYLINE:

You better watch out, Santa Claus is coming to town and he's carrying a laser.

Father Christmas was on hand to try some of this year's top 12 toys for 2018, announced by the UK Toy Retailers' Association at its DreamToys exhibit.

Laser guns make the list and are proving popular with people of all ages.

Santa Claus says: "One of my favourite toys, I do like lots of them and there's 12 of them here, of the favourites. We've got everything from Harry Potter and Lego, we've got Harry Potter's wands and there's the L.O.Ls which is the unwrapping games as well. We've got lots of Nerf as well, Monopoly."

The top toys are selected by a panel of retailers and experts and it's a predictive list of what's expected to be popular.

There's everything from collectible L.O.L Surprise dolls to a slime studio and a Fortnite edition of Monopoly.

But with a new Harry Potter film due out, anything related to the boy wizard is expected to dominate, according to the chairman of  the DreamToys committee, Gary Grant.

"Children's oriented films are really good for toys. So we have Harry Potter this year, we've got Toy Story next year. We've got the Lego movie which brings the Lego bricks to life. So when we get a good movie coming out it does have an ongoing benefit for the toy industry," he says.

The Harry Potter Wizard Wand has cast a spell on ten-year-old Isabella Bonnell who's trying it out.

"It's so fun because you get to learn all these different spells and it's fun practicing them. It makes funny noises when you do a spell," she says.

There are also new Lego options available for Potter fans, including various figurines, the Hogwarts Express and a model of the Great Hall.

"There's a relevancy. Harry Potter is now back with Lego so we're very very proud that a lot of kids will hopefully find Lego undreneath the Christmas tress and have the chance, together with their parents, to be creative and imaginative," says Marius Lang from Lego.

But it's not just film franchises that are helping to sell toys.

This girl is 'flossing' - a dance move that players of ever-popular video game Fortnite will be familiar with.

Hasbro has teamed up with Epic Games to release a Fortnite edition of Monopoly.

Twelve-year-old Ashton Eiman says it's just as exciting as the video version: "It's very good. It's got all the characters. These are all in Fortnite at the moment and I really like it."

Grant says keeping up with film, TV and other trends is needed to appeal to young consumers.

"It's key. The industry looks at what's going on within a child's life. What are they playing with, what are they watching. But also the other part of the industry which has been thriving this year are the collectible items."

These dinosaur collectibles are from the Fingerlings Untamed Jailbreak T-Rex playset and are on the top 12 list.

So too are the L.O.L Surprise Under Wraps dolls.

Toy analyst Frederique Tutt says: "Collectibles is really driving the market in the UK. Sales are 30 percent (higher) compared to last year. So they will want to have the whole collection. So this is series 1 and then you get series 2, series 3and there's no end of fun."

The UK is the fourth largest toy market in the world after the US, China and Japan and has annual sales of 3.5 billion pounds.

One of the more quirky cuddly creatures in the popular Paws and Claws category is Ricky the pup.

What makes him special is his ability to eat treats and then later poop them out.

There's also some unease in the toy industry about the UK's upcoming exit from the European Union which could see supply lines disrupted.

"So much is still uncertain about next year regarding Brexit. But as I said most of the toys come from the Far East and obviously items coming in to the UK, apart from the devaluation of the pound, I can't really see that there's going to be any issues unless we have a major problem with our ports with our stock being delayed," says Grant.

Nine-year-old Jackson Knopf has already decided what he wants from Father Christmas: "Definitely Laser X, the slime thing and some Lego."

With more than five weeks to go until Christmas, Santa will no doubt be busy keeping note of who wants what.

London, UK - 14 November 2018

1. Various of Santa Claus playing Nerf Laser Ops with young girl (£44.99)

2. Various of two boys playing Laser X (£49.99)

3. Santa Claus with Laser Ops gun

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Santa Claus:

"One of my favourite toys, I do like lots of them and there's 12 of them here, of the favourites. We've got everything from Harry Potter and Lego, we've got Harry Potter's wands and there's the L.O.Ls which is the unwrapping games as well. We've got lots of Nerf as well, Monopoly."

5. Wide of display showing DreamToys top 12 toys

6. Various of L.O.L. Surprise Under Wraps collectible figures (£14.99)

7. Close of box for Laser X

8. Tilt up of Cra-Z-Slimy Creations Super Slime Studio (£29.99)

9. Monopoly Fortnite Edition (£21.99)

10. Harry Potter Wizard Training Wand (£24.99)

11. Close of box for Harry Potter Hogwarts Lego (£74.99)

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Gary Grant, Chairman, DreamToys committee:

"Children's oriented films are really good for toys. So obviously we have Harry Potter this year, we've got Toy Story next year. We've got the Lego movie which brings the Lego bricks to life. So when we get a good movie coming out it does have an ongoing benefit for the toy industry."

13. Various of young girl playing with Harry Potter Wizard Wand

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Isabella Bonnell, 10-years-old:

"It's so fun because you get to learn all these different spells and it's fun practicing them. It makes funny noises when you do a spell."

15. Various of Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Lego (£89.99)

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Marius Lang, Lego:

"There's a relevancy. Harry Potter is now back with Lego so we're very very proud that a lot of kids will hopefully find Lego underneath the Christmas trees and have the chance, together with their parents, to be creative and imaginative."

17. Various of Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Lego

18. Tilt up of young girl dancing (Doing the Floss from Fortnite)

19. Various of young boy playing Monopoly Fortnite Edition

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Ashton Eiman, 12-years-old:

"It's very good. It's got all the characters. These are all in Fortnite at the moment and I really like it."

21. Eiman playing Monopoly Fortnite

22. Various of Gary Grant looking at top 12 toys

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Gary Grant, Chairman, DreamToys committee:

"It's key. The industry looks at what's going on within a child's life. What are they playing with, what are they watching. But also the other part of the industry which has been thriving this year are the collectible items."

24. Tilt down of children playing

25. Close of boy with Fingerlings Untamed Jailbreak T-Rex Playset (£24.99)

26. Various of girl unwrapping L.O.L. Surprise Under Wraps collectible figures

27. SOUNDBITE (English) Frederique Tutt, Toy analyst:

"Collectibles is really driving the market in the UK. Sales are 30 percent (higher) compared to last year. So they will want to have the whole collection. So this is series 1 and then you get series 2, series 3 and there's no end of fun."

28. Tracking shot of child with Air Hogs Supernova drone toy (£39.99)

29. Various of FurReal Ricky, Trick Lovin' Pup (£134.99)

30. Various of children playing GraviTrax (£39.99)

31. SOUNDBITE (English) SOUNDBITE (English) Gary Grant, Chairman, DreamToys committee:

"So much is still uncertain about next year regarding Brexit. But as I said most of the toys come from the Far East and obviously items coming in to the UK, apart from a devaluation of the pound, I can't really see that there's going to be any issues unless we have a major problem with our ports with our stock being delayed."

32. Various of children playing with Cra-Z-Slimy Creations Super Slime Studio

33. SOUNDBITE (English) Jackson Knopf, 9-years-old:

"Definitely Laser X, the slime thing and some Lego."

34. Tilt down of DreamToys exhibit hall

35. Various of Santa Claus waving

UK CHRISTMAS TOYS

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTIONS: AP CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 6:06

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

London, UK - 14 November 2018

1. Various of Santa Claus playing Nerf Laser Ops with young girl (£44.99)

2. Various of two boys playing Laser X (£49.99)

3. Santa Claus with Laser Ops gun

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Santa Claus:

"One of my favourite toys, I do like lots of them and there's 12 of them here, of the favourites. We've got everything from Harry Potter and Lego, we've got Harry Potter's wands and there's the L.O.Ls which is the unwrapping games as well. We've got lots of Nerf as well, Monopoly."

5. Wide of display showing DreamToys top 12 toys

6. Various of L.O.L. Surprise Under Wraps collectible figures (£14.99)

7. Close of box for Laser X

8. Tilt up of Cra-Z-Slimy Creations Super Slime Studio (£29.99)

9. Monopoly Fortnite Edition (£21.99)

10. Harry Potter Wizard Training Wand (£24.99)

11. Close of box for Harry Potter Hogwarts Lego (£74.99)

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Gary Grant, Chairman, DreamToys committee:

"Children's oriented films are really good for toys. So obviously we have Harry Potter this year, we've got Toy Story next year. We've got the Lego movie which brings the Lego bricks to life. So when we get a good movie coming out it does have an ongoing benefit for the toy industry."

13. Various of young girl playing with Harry Potter Wizard Wand

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Isabella Bonnell, 10-years-old:

"It's so fun because you get to learn all these different spells and it's fun practicing them. It makes funny noises when you do a spell."

15. Various of Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Lego (£89.99)

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Marius Lang, Lego:

"There's a relevancy. Harry Potter is now back with Lego so we're very very proud that a lot of kids will hopefully find Lego underneath the Christmas trees and have the chance, together with their parents, to be creative and imaginative."

17. Various of Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Lego

18. Tilt up of young girl dancing (Doing the Floss from Fortnite)

19. Various of young boy playing Monopoly Fortnite Edition

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Ashton Eiman, 12-years-old:

"It's very good. It's got all the characters. These are all in Fortnite at the moment and I really like it."

21. Eiman playing Monopoly Fortnite

22. Various of Gary Grant looking at top 12 toys

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Gary Grant, Chairman, DreamToys committee:

"It's key. The industry looks at what's going on within a child's life. What are they playing with, what are they watching. But also the other part of the industry which has been thriving this year are the collectible items."

24. Tilt down of children playing

25. Close of boy with Fingerlings Untamed Jailbreak T-Rex Playset (£24.99)

26. Various of girl unwrapping L.O.L. Surprise Under Wraps collectible figures

27. SOUNDBITE (English) Frederique Tutt, Toy analyst:

"Collectibles is really driving the market in the UK. Sales are 30 percent (higher) compared to last year. So they will want to have the whole collection. So this is series 1 and then you get series 2, series 3 and there's no end of fun."

28. Tracking shot of child with Air Hogs Supernova drone toy (£39.99)

29. Various of FurReal Ricky, Trick Lovin' Pup (£134.99)

30. Various of children playing GraviTrax (£39.99)

31. SOUNDBITE (English) SOUNDBITE (English) Gary Grant, Chairman, DreamToys committee:

"So much is still uncertain about next year regarding Brexit. But as I said most of the toys come from the Far East and obviously items coming in to the UK, apart from a devaluation of the pound, I can't really see that there's going to be any issues unless we have a major problem with our ports with our stock being delayed."

32. Various of children playing with Cra-Z-Slimy Creations Super Slime Studio

33. SOUNDBITE (English) Jackson Knopf, 9-years-old:

"Definitely Laser X, the slime thing and some Lego."

34. Tilt down of DreamToys exhibit hall

35. Various of Santa Claus waving

LEADIN:

Laser guns, Harry Potter wands and a poopin' puppy are just some of the must-have toys for children this Christmas.

Despite an impending Brexit, the UK toy industry says it's expecting a bumper 2018, buoyed by movie and gaming inspired gifts.

STORYLINE:

You better watch out, Santa Claus is coming to town and he's carrying a laser.

Father Christmas was on hand to try some of this year's top 12 toys for 2018, announced by the UK Toy Retailers' Association at its DreamToys exhibit.

Laser guns make the list and are proving popular with people of all ages.

Santa Claus says: "One of my favourite toys, I do like lots of them and there's 12 of them here, of the favourites. We've got everything from Harry Potter and Lego, we've got Harry Potter's wands and there's the L.O.Ls which is the unwrapping games as well. We've got lots of Nerf as well, Monopoly."

The top toys are selected by a panel of retailers and experts and it's a predictive list of what's expected to be popular.

There's everything from collectible L.O.L Surprise dolls to a slime studio and a Fortnite edition of Monopoly.

But with a new Harry Potter film due out, anything related to the boy wizard is expected to dominate, according to the chairman of  the DreamToys committee, Gary Grant.

"Children's oriented films are really good for toys. So we have Harry Potter this year, we've got Toy Story next year. We've got the Lego movie which brings the Lego bricks to life. So when we get a good movie coming out it does have an ongoing benefit for the toy industry," he says.

The Harry Potter Wizard Wand has cast a spell on ten-year-old Isabella Bonnell who's trying it out.

"It's so fun because you get to learn all these different spells and it's fun practicing them. It makes funny noises when you do a spell," she says.

There are also new Lego options available for Potter fans, including various figurines, the Hogwarts Express and a model of the Great Hall.

"There's a relevancy. Harry Potter is now back with Lego so we're very very proud that a lot of kids will hopefully find Lego undreneath the Christmas tress and have the chance, together with their parents, to be creative and imaginative," says Marius Lang from Lego.

But it's not just film franchises that are helping to sell toys.

This girl is 'flossing' - a dance move that players of ever-popular video game Fortnite will be familiar with.

Hasbro has teamed up with Epic Games to release a Fortnite edition of Monopoly.

Twelve-year-old Ashton Eiman says it's just as exciting as the video version: "It's very good. It's got all the characters. These are all in Fortnite at the moment and I really like it."

Grant says keeping up with film, TV and other trends is needed to appeal to young consumers.

"It's key. The industry looks at what's going on within a child's life. What are they playing with, what are they watching. But also the other part of the industry which has been thriving this year are the collectible items."

These dinosaur collectibles are from the Fingerlings Untamed Jailbreak T-Rex playset and are on the top 12 list.

So too are the L.O.L Surprise Under Wraps dolls.

Toy analyst Frederique Tutt says: "Collectibles is really driving the market in the UK. Sales are 30 percent (higher) compared to last year. So they will want to have the whole collection. So this is series 1 and then you get series 2, series 3and there's no end of fun."

The UK is the fourth largest toy market in the world after the US, China and Japan and has annual sales of 3.5 billion pounds.

One of the more quirky cuddly creatures in the popular Paws and Claws category is Ricky the pup.

What makes him special is his ability to eat treats and then later poop them out.

There's also some unease in the toy industry about the UK's upcoming exit from the European Union which could see supply lines disrupted.

"So much is still uncertain about next year regarding Brexit. But as I said most of the toys come from the Far East and obviously items coming in to the UK, apart from the devaluation of the pound, I can't really see that there's going to be any issues unless we have a major problem with our ports with our stock being delayed," says Grant.

Nine-year-old Jackson Knopf has already decided what he wants from Father Christmas: "Definitely Laser X, the slime thing and some Lego."

With more than five weeks to go until Christmas, Santa will no doubt be busy keeping note of who wants what.  

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LEADIN:

Laser guns, Harry Potter wands and a poopin' puppy are just some of the must-have toys for children this Christmas.

Despite an impending Brexit, the UK toy industry says it's expecting a bumper 2018, buoyed by movie and gaming inspired gifts.

STORYLINE:

You better watch out, Santa Claus is coming to town and he's carrying a laser.

Father Christmas was on hand to try some of this year's top 12 toys for 2018, announced by the UK Toy Retailers' Association at its DreamToys exhibit.

Laser guns make the list and are proving popular with people of all ages.

Santa Claus says: "One of my favourite toys, I do like lots of them and there's 12 of them here, of the favourites. We've got everything from Harry Potter and Lego, we've got Harry Potter's wands and there's the L.O.Ls which is the unwrapping games as well. We've got lots of Nerf as well, Monopoly."

The top toys are selected by a panel of retailers and experts and it's a predictive list of what's expected to be popular.

There's everything from collectible L.O.L Surprise dolls to a slime studio and a Fortnite edition of Monopoly.

But with a new Harry Potter film due out, anything related to the boy wizard is expected to dominate, according to the chairman of  the DreamToys committee, Gary Grant.

"Children's oriented films are really good for toys. So we have Harry Potter this year, we've got Toy Story next year. We've got the Lego movie which brings the Lego bricks to life. So when we get a good movie coming out it does have an ongoing benefit for the toy industry," he says.

The Harry Potter Wizard Wand has cast a spell on ten-year-old Isabella Bonnell who's trying it out.

"It's so fun because you get to learn all these different spells and it's fun practicing them. It makes funny noises when you do a spell," she says.

There are also new Lego options available for Potter fans, including various figurines, the Hogwarts Express and a model of the Great Hall.

"There's a relevancy. Harry Potter is now back with Lego so we're very very proud that a lot of kids will hopefully find Lego undreneath the Christmas tress and have the chance, together with their parents, to be creative and imaginative," says Marius Lang from Lego.

But it's not just film franchises that are helping to sell toys.

This girl is 'flossing' - a dance move that players of ever-popular video game Fortnite will be familiar with.

Hasbro has teamed up with Epic Games to release a Fortnite edition of Monopoly.

Twelve-year-old Ashton Eiman says it's just as exciting as the video version: "It's very good. It's got all the characters. These are all in Fortnite at the moment and I really like it."

Grant says keeping up with film, TV and other trends is needed to appeal to young consumers.

"It's key. The industry looks at what's going on within a child's life. What are they playing with, what are they watching. But also the other part of the industry which has been thriving this year are the collectible items."

These dinosaur collectibles are from the Fingerlings Untamed Jailbreak T-Rex playset and are on the top 12 list.

So too are the L.O.L Surprise Under Wraps dolls.

Toy analyst Frederique Tutt says: "Collectibles is really driving the market in the UK. Sales are 30 percent (higher) compared to last year. So they will want to have the whole collection. So this is series 1 and then you get series 2, series 3and there's no end of fun."

The UK is the fourth largest toy market in the world after the US, China and Japan and has annual sales of 3.5 billion pounds.

One of the more quirky cuddly creatures in the popular Paws and Claws category is Ricky the pup.

What makes him special is his ability to eat treats and then later poop them out.

There's also some unease in the toy industry about the UK's upcoming exit from the European Union which could see supply lines disrupted.

"So much is still uncertain about next year regarding Brexit. But as I said most of the toys come from the Far East and obviously items coming in to the UK, apart from the devaluation of the pound, I can't really see that there's going to be any issues unless we have a major problem with our ports with our stock being delayed," says Grant.

Nine-year-old Jackson Knopf has already decided what he wants from Father Christmas: "Definitely Laser X, the slime thing and some Lego."

With more than five weeks to go until Christmas, Santa will no doubt be busy keeping note of who wants what.

London, UK - 14 November 2018

1. Various of Santa Claus playing Nerf Laser Ops with young girl (£44.99)

2. Various of two boys playing Laser X (£49.99)

3. Santa Claus with Laser Ops gun

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Santa Claus:

"One of my favourite toys, I do like lots of them and there's 12 of them here, of the favourites. We've got everything from Harry Potter and Lego, we've got Harry Potter's wands and there's the L.O.Ls which is the unwrapping games as well. We've got lots of Nerf as well, Monopoly."

5. Wide of display showing DreamToys top 12 toys

6. Various of L.O.L. Surprise Under Wraps collectible figures (£14.99)

7. Close of box for Laser X

8. Tilt up of Cra-Z-Slimy Creations Super Slime Studio (£29.99)

9. Monopoly Fortnite Edition (£21.99)

10. Harry Potter Wizard Training Wand (£24.99)

11. Close of box for Harry Potter Hogwarts Lego (£74.99)

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Gary Grant, Chairman, DreamToys committee:

"Children's oriented films are really good for toys. So obviously we have Harry Potter this year, we've got Toy Story next year. We've got the Lego movie which brings the Lego bricks to life. So when we get a good movie coming out it does have an ongoing benefit for the toy industry."

13. Various of young girl playing with Harry Potter Wizard Wand

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Isabella Bonnell, 10-years-old:

"It's so fun because you get to learn all these different spells and it's fun practicing them. It makes funny noises when you do a spell."

15. Various of Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Lego (£89.99)

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Marius Lang, Lego:

"There's a relevancy. Harry Potter is now back with Lego so we're very very proud that a lot of kids will hopefully find Lego underneath the Christmas trees and have the chance, together with their parents, to be creative and imaginative."

17. Various of Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Lego

18. Tilt up of young girl dancing (Doing the Floss from Fortnite)

19. Various of young boy playing Monopoly Fortnite Edition

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Ashton Eiman, 12-years-old:

"It's very good. It's got all the characters. These are all in Fortnite at the moment and I really like it."

21. Eiman playing Monopoly Fortnite

22. Various of Gary Grant looking at top 12 toys

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Gary Grant, Chairman, DreamToys committee:

"It's key. The industry looks at what's going on within a child's life. What are they playing with, what are they watching. But also the other part of the industry which has been thriving this year are the collectible items."

24. Tilt down of children playing

25. Close of boy with Fingerlings Untamed Jailbreak T-Rex Playset (£24.99)

26. Various of girl unwrapping L.O.L. Surprise Under Wraps collectible figures

27. SOUNDBITE (English) Frederique Tutt, Toy analyst:

"Collectibles is really driving the market in the UK. Sales are 30 percent (higher) compared to last year. So they will want to have the whole collection. So this is series 1 and then you get series 2, series 3 and there's no end of fun."

28. Tracking shot of child with Air Hogs Supernova drone toy (£39.99)

29. Various of FurReal Ricky, Trick Lovin' Pup (£134.99)

30. Various of children playing GraviTrax (£39.99)

31. SOUNDBITE (English) SOUNDBITE (English) Gary Grant, Chairman, DreamToys committee:

"So much is still uncertain about next year regarding Brexit. But as I said most of the toys come from the Far East and obviously items coming in to the UK, apart from a devaluation of the pound, I can't really see that there's going to be any issues unless we have a major problem with our ports with our stock being delayed."

32. Various of children playing with Cra-Z-Slimy Creations Super Slime Studio

33. SOUNDBITE (English) Jackson Knopf, 9-years-old:

"Definitely Laser X, the slime thing and some Lego."

34. Tilt down of DreamToys exhibit hall

35. Various of Santa Claus waving

LEADIN:

Christmas is coming and children around the world are preparing their wish lists for Santa.

The toy industry is keen to predict and shape what this year's must-have toy will be.

The DreamToys event in London, brings a gang of child testers together to promote the season's best-selling gadgets and gizmos.

STORYLINE:

From drones to teddy bears, who can predict which toys will become treasured possessions and which ones will be condemned to the bottom of the toy box a few days after Christmas.

The DreamToys event in London brings together a board of industry analysts and experts to pick the top toys they expect to be the most sought after each Christmas, then organises a promotional event to market the must-have list of the top toys.

One of the stars of this year's show is Roarin' Tyler the Tiger by FurReal.

This interactive toy pet responds to sound and motion commands - tickle him and he purrs affectionately, tell him to sit and he sits... sometimes.

The animatronic tiger can move his eyes, ears, head, mouth and tail. He even has a rubber toy chicken of his own to play with.

Nine year old Louise Edwards is playing with Tyler at DreamToys. She says he could serve as a substitute for her own pet.

"Because my cat used to just sit around all day and then when I found this, when it came out, I was like 'I really want this' because it's like my cat but a bit more interactive because my cat just used to sit there all day because he was blind."

FurReal Roarin' Tyler costs £134.99.

But not everything is cute and cuddly at DreamToys in London.

This fluffy unicorn has fangs - it is part of the Feisty Pets range. It doesn't make this year's must-have list.

In many countries the top-selling toy at the moment is the LOL Surprise by MGA - the same people who gave us the Bratz dolls.

These tennis ball sized toys contain tiny dolls which can be dressed and accessorised.

LOL Surprise is part of the the blind-bag collectible trend which is seeing enormous growth - in the UK collectible sales increased by 24 per cent in 2017 compared to the previous year and represent one in every five toys sold, according to analysts the NPD Group.

LOL was only launched in April this year and is already the market leader in the UK, U.S. and Spain.

Andrew Laughthon, senior vice president of Europe, MGA explains what the new LOL Surprise is all about:

"It comes with seven layers of surprise. It builds on the unboxing, every kid can unbox this, so you take each layer off and you get a surprise under each layer. The great thing about it, after you've gone through all those different layers you end up with a fantastic doll at the end."

Retailing at £9.99 it is just in the pocket money price point, but according to Frederique Tutt, a toy industry analyst at the NPD Group, demand is outstripping supply and parents might want to consider shopping earlier rather than missing out later.

She says: "I think it's now (shops are running out of LOL toys) but they're getting supplied as often as they can. But it's the number one selling toy in the US and the UK, in Spain, in many of the countries that the NPD Group tracks. So it's difficult to meet demand."

It's Tutt's job to track trends and she thinks the excitement of children posting on YouTube unboxing videos is driving the collectible market.

She explains: "I think it's the surprise element, the kid doesn't know what's going to be inside so they're really excited to open it and that brings us to some viral videos that we can see on YouTube, the kids unboxing this element of surprise for them is really important and this has been a driving trend in the market this year especially."

Another surprise is hatching inside this large egg.

Summer Meyepa is rubbing the egg to speed up the hatching process of her Hatchimal - of course, she doesn't yet know what is inside.

She says: "It's actually a Hatchimal, I'm not sure which one because they're always a surprise so I'm hoping it's going to be a really good one that's really cuddly and really cute."

It takes a lot of rubbing to warm up the baby Hatchimal but soon there is movement inside and Summer's excitement increases as the egg cracks open and two babies pop out.

"It is actually dancing, it's literally just cracked it and I've got one... I've got two, and I think that they're maybe twins," she says.

Hatchimals Surprise cost £74.99 from Spin Master Toys.

Another collectible are the Fingerling monkeys from WowWee, priced at £14.99.

These little monkeys cling to your fingers and have 40 actions and 50 different sounds.

Nine year old Abigail Silverlock has been making her monkeys react to her.

She says: "I like to collect them because then you can just hang them all over you and you can hang them on your fingers and your bags and your cardigans."

It might all look like fun and games but this is a serious business, in the UK alone annual Christmas toy sales are worth £1.2 billion according to the NPD Group's Consumer Tracking Service.

The average Christmas toy spend per child is £121 (up to age 11) with an average of 11 presents received.

But after a particularly buoyant 2016, the toy market in the UK is slightly down year-on-year and will be hoping to regain ground over the important Christmas period.

Gary Grant, chair of the DreamToys committee says: "In 2017 so far the (toy) market is down about two per cent and I think it's a lack of confidence in the market place, brought about by a number of factors, the Brexit factor, there's a lack of confidence, the general economic factor, there's a lack of confidence, rising prices, whether that's fuel prices for vehicles or whether it's interest rates that have just gone up a quarter of a point, that is going to drain an element of disposable income out of people's pockets so we're going through uncertain times. But 40 per cent of the toy trade's entire year turnover is just in a very short period of eight weeks and we've every expectation that by the time we get to Christmas Eve we will have caught up on the small decline that we've experienced year-to-date."

The Christmas sales drive is already in full swing... but will toy retailers be landing on their feet at the end of the festive period?

London, November 8, 2017

1. Mid of boy flying drone

2. Close of boy tilts down to remote control

3. Wide of children playing at Dream Toys

4. Wide top shot of event and Christmas tree

5. Pull focus of star on Christmas tree

6. Mid of Louise Edwards playing with FurReal Roarin' Tyler (£134.99)

7. Close of Tyler being stroked

8. Low angle of Louise telling Tyler to lie down

9. Close of Louise tickling the tiger

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Louise Edwards, nine-year-old, voxpop

"Because my cat used to just sit around all day and then when I found this, when it came out, I was like 'I really want this' because it's like my cat but a bit more interactive because my cat just used to sit there all day because he was blind."

11. Various of Feisty Pets Glenda Glitterpoop unicorn

12. Close pan right of LOL Surprise series dolls

13. Tilt up of LOL balls

14. Mid of Andrew Laughthon opening ball

15. Close of opening

16. Mid of same

17. Close of LOL doll with water bottle

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Andrew Laughthon, senior vice president of Europe, MGA

"It comes with seven layers of surprise. It builds on the unboxing, every kid can unbox this, so you take each layer off and you get a surprise under each layer. The great thing about it, after you've gone through all those different layers you end up with a fantastic doll at the end."

19. Various set up shots of Frederique Tutt, global toy industry analyst, NPD Group

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frederique Tutt, global toy industry analyst, NPD Group

"I think it's now (shops are running out of LOL toys) but they're getting supplied as often as they can but it's the number one selling toy in the US and the UK, in Spain, in many of the countries that the NPD Group tracks. So it's difficult to meet demand."

21. Pan right of chart showing the seven layers of surprises in the LOL surprise ball

22. Tilt up of poster for LOL doll reading: (English) "Take me home!"

23. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frederique Tutt, global toy industry analyst, NPD Group

"I think it's the surprise element, the kid doesn't know what's going to be inside, so they're really excited to open it and that brings us to some viral videos that we can see on YouTube, the kids unboxing this element of surprise for them is really important and this has been a driving trend in the market this year especially."

24. Low angle of Summer Meyepa rubbing Hatchimals egg

25. Close of egg being rubbed

26. SOUNDBITE: (English) Summer Meyepa, nine-year-old, voxpop

"It's actually a Hatchimal, I'm not sure which one because they're always a surprise so I'm hoping it's going to be a really good one that's really cuddly and really cute."

27. Close of egg starting to crack

28. SOUNDBITE: (English) Summer Meyepa, nine-year-old, voxpop

"It is actually dancing, it's literally just cracked it and I've got one... I've got two, and I think that they're maybe twins."

29. Wide low angle of Summer playing

30. Wide of Abigail Silverlock playing with Fingerlings monkeys

31. Close of monkeys

32. SOUNDBITE: (English) Abigail Silverlock, nine-year-old, voxpop

"I like to collect them because then you can just hang them all over you and you can hang them on your fingers and your bags and your cardigans and stuff."

33. Set up shot of Gary Grant with Tyler Tiger

34. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gary Grant, chair of the DreamToys committee

"In 2017 so far the (toy) market is down about two per cent and I think it's a lack of confidence in the market place, brought about by a number of factors, the Brexit factor, there's a lack of confidence, the general economic factor, there's a lack of confidence, rising prices, whether that's fuel prices for vehicles or whether it's interest rates that have just gone up a quarter of a point, that is going to drain an element of disposable income out of people's pockets so we're going through uncertain times. But 40 percent of the toy trade's entire year turnover is just in a very short period of eight weeks and we've every expectation that by the time we get to Christmas Eve we will have caught up on the small decline that we've experienced year-to-date."

35. Low angle of boy playing with acrobat toy

35. Close of face

36. Close of finger pressing button

37. Low angle of acrobat jumping and landing upright

LEADIN:

Christmas is coming and children around the world are preparing their wish lists for Santa.

The toy industry is keen to predict and shape what this year's must-have toy will be.

The DreamToys event in London, brings a gang of child testers together to promote the season's best-selling gadgets and gizmos.

STORYLINE:

From drones to teddy bears, who can predict which toys will become treasured possessions and which ones will be condemned to the bottom of the toy box a few days after Christmas.

The DreamToys event in London brings together a board of industry analysts and experts to pick the top toys they expect to be the most sought after each Christmas, then organises a promotional event to market the must-have list of the top toys.

One of the stars of this year's show is Roarin' Tyler the Tiger by FurReal.

This interactive toy pet responds to sound and motion commands - tickle him and he purrs affectionately, tell him to sit and he sits... sometimes.

The animatronic tiger can move his eyes, ears, head, mouth and tail. He even has a rubber toy chicken of his own to play with.

Nine year old Louise Edwards is playing with Tyler at DreamToys. She says he could serve as a substitute for her own pet.

"Because my cat used to just sit around all day and then when I found this, when it came out, I was like 'I really want this' because it's like my cat but a bit more interactive because my cat just used to sit there all day because he was blind."

FurReal Roarin' Tyler costs £134.99.

But not everything is cute and cuddly at DreamToys in London.

This fluffy unicorn has fangs - it is part of the Feisty Pets range. It doesn't make this year's must-have list.

In many countries the top-selling toy at the moment is the LOL Surprise by MGA - the same people who gave us the Bratz dolls.

These tennis ball sized toys contain tiny dolls which can be dressed and accessorised.

LOL Surprise is part of the the blind-bag collectible trend which is seeing enormous growth - in the UK collectible sales increased by 24 per cent in 2017 compared to the previous year and represent one in every five toys sold, according to analysts the NPD Group.

LOL was only launched in April this year and is already the market leader in the UK, U.S. and Spain.

Andrew Laughthon, senior vice president of Europe, MGA explains what the new LOL Surprise is all about:

"It comes with seven layers of surprise. It builds on the unboxing, every kid can unbox this, so you take each layer off and you get a surprise under each layer. The great thing about it, after you've gone through all those different layers you end up with a fantastic doll at the end."

Retailing at £9.99 it is just in the pocket money price point, but according to Frederique Tutt, a toy industry analyst at the NPD Group, demand is outstripping supply and parents might want to consider shopping earlier rather than missing out later.

She says: "I think it's now (shops are running out of LOL toys) but they're getting supplied as often as they can. But it's the number one selling toy in the US and the UK, in Spain, in many of the countries that the NPD Group tracks. So it's difficult to meet demand."

It's Tutt's job to track trends and she thinks the excitement of children posting on YouTube unboxing videos is driving the collectible market.

She explains: "I think it's the surprise element, the kid doesn't know what's going to be inside so they're really excited to open it and that brings us to some viral videos that we can see on YouTube, the kids unboxing this element of surprise for them is really important and this has been a driving trend in the market this year especially."

Another surprise is hatching inside this large egg.

Summer Meyepa is rubbing the egg to speed up the hatching process of her Hatchimal - of course, she doesn't yet know what is inside.

She says: "It's actually a Hatchimal, I'm not sure which one because they're always a surprise so I'm hoping it's going to be a really good one that's really cuddly and really cute."

It takes a lot of rubbing to warm up the baby Hatchimal but soon there is movement inside and Summer's excitement increases as the egg cracks open and two babies pop out.

"It is actually dancing, it's literally just cracked it and I've got one... I've got two, and I think that they're maybe twins," she says.

Hatchimals Surprise cost £74.99 from Spin Master Toys.

Another collectible are the Fingerling monkeys from WowWee, priced at £14.99.

These little monkeys cling to your fingers and have 40 actions and 50 different sounds.

Nine year old Abigail Silverlock has been making her monkeys react to her.

She says: "I like to collect them because then you can just hang them all over you and you can hang them on your fingers and your bags and your cardigans."

It might all look like fun and games but this is a serious business, in the UK alone annual Christmas toy sales are worth £1.2 billion according to the NPD Group's Consumer Tracking Service.

The average Christmas toy spend per child is £121 (up to age 11) with an average of 11 presents received.

But after a particularly buoyant 2016, the toy market in the UK is slightly down year-on-year and will be hoping to regain ground over the important Christmas period.

Gary Grant, chair of the DreamToys committee says: "In 2017 so far the (toy) market is down about two per cent and I think it's a lack of confidence in the market place, brought about by a number of factors, the Brexit factor, there's a lack of confidence, the general economic factor, there's a lack of confidence, rising prices, whether that's fuel prices for vehicles or whether it's interest rates that have just gone up a quarter of a point, that is going to drain an element of disposable income out of people's pockets so we're going through uncertain times. But 40 per cent of the toy trade's entire year turnover is just in a very short period of eight weeks and we've every expectation that by the time we get to Christmas Eve we will have caught up on the small decline that we've experienced year-to-date."

The Christmas sales drive is already in full swing... but will toy retailers be landing on their feet at the end of the festive period?

London, November 8, 2017

1. Mid of boy flying drone

2. Close of boy tilts down to remote control

3. Wide of children playing at Dream Toys

4. Wide top shot of event and Christmas tree

5. Pull focus of star on Christmas tree

6. Mid of Louise Edwards playing with FurReal Roarin' Tyler (£134.99)

7. Close of Tyler being stroked

8. Low angle of Louise telling Tyler to lie down

9. Close of Louise tickling the tiger

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Louise Edwards, nine-year-old, voxpop

"Because my cat used to just sit around all day and then when I found this, when it came out, I was like 'I really want this' because it's like my cat but a bit more interactive because my cat just used to sit there all day because he was blind."

11. Various of Feisty Pets Glenda Glitterpoop unicorn

12. Close pan right of LOL Surprise series dolls

13. Tilt up of LOL balls

14. Mid of Andrew Laughthon opening ball

15. Close of opening

16. Mid of same

17. Close of LOL doll with water bottle

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Andrew Laughthon, senior vice president of Europe, MGA

"It comes with seven layers of surprise. It builds on the unboxing, every kid can unbox this, so you take each layer off and you get a surprise under each layer. The great thing about it, after you've gone through all those different layers you end up with a fantastic doll at the end."

19. Various set up shots of Frederique Tutt, global toy industry analyst, NPD Group

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frederique Tutt, global toy industry analyst, NPD Group

"I think it's now (shops are running out of LOL toys) but they're getting supplied as often as they can but it's the number one selling toy in the US and the UK, in Spain, in many of the countries that the NPD Group tracks. So it's difficult to meet demand."

21. Pan right of chart showing the seven layers of surprises in the LOL surprise ball

22. Tilt up of poster for LOL doll reading: (English) "Take me home!"

23. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frederique Tutt, global toy industry analyst, NPD Group

"I think it's the surprise element, the kid doesn't know what's going to be inside, so they're really excited to open it and that brings us to some viral videos that we can see on YouTube, the kids unboxing this element of surprise for them is really important and this has been a driving trend in the market this year especially."

24. Low angle of Summer Meyepa rubbing Hatchimals egg

25. Close of egg being rubbed

26. SOUNDBITE: (English) Summer Meyepa, nine-year-old, voxpop

"It's actually a Hatchimal, I'm not sure which one because they're always a surprise so I'm hoping it's going to be a really good one that's really cuddly and really cute."

27. Close of egg starting to crack

28. SOUNDBITE: (English) Summer Meyepa, nine-year-old, voxpop

"It is actually dancing, it's literally just cracked it and I've got one... I've got two, and I think that they're maybe twins."

29. Wide low angle of Summer playing

30. Wide of Abigail Silverlock playing with Fingerlings monkeys

31. Close of monkeys

32. SOUNDBITE: (English) Abigail Silverlock, nine-year-old, voxpop

"I like to collect them because then you can just hang them all over you and you can hang them on your fingers and your bags and your cardigans and stuff."

33. Set up shot of Gary Grant with Tyler Tiger

34. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gary Grant, chair of the DreamToys committee

"In 2017 so far the (toy) market is down about two per cent and I think it's a lack of confidence in the market place, brought about by a number of factors, the Brexit factor, there's a lack of confidence, the general economic factor, there's a lack of confidence, rising prices, whether that's fuel prices for vehicles or whether it's interest rates that have just gone up a quarter of a point, that is going to drain an element of disposable income out of people's pockets so we're going through uncertain times. But 40 percent of the toy trade's entire year turnover is just in a very short period of eight weeks and we've every expectation that by the time we get to Christmas Eve we will have caught up on the small decline that we've experienced year-to-date."

35. Low angle of boy playing with acrobat toy

35. Close of face

36. Close of finger pressing button

37. Low angle of acrobat jumping and landing upright

LEADIN:

Christmas is coming and children around the world are preparing their wish lists for Santa.

The toy industry is keen to predict and shape what this year's must-have toy will be.

The DreamToys event in London, brings a gang of child testers together to promote the season's best-selling gadgets and gizmos.

STORYLINE:

From drones to teddy bears, who can predict which toys will become treasured possessions and which ones will be condemned to the bottom of the toy box a few days after Christmas.

The DreamToys event in London brings together a board of industry analysts and experts to pick the top toys they expect to be the most sought after each Christmas, then organises a promotional event to market the must-have list of the top toys.

One of the stars of this year's show is Roarin' Tyler the Tiger by FurReal.

This interactive toy pet responds to sound and motion commands - tickle him and he purrs affectionately, tell him to sit and he sits... sometimes.

The animatronic tiger can move his eyes, ears, head, mouth and tail. He even has a rubber toy chicken of his own to play with.

Nine year old Louise Edwards is playing with Tyler at DreamToys. She says he could serve as a substitute for her own pet.

"Because my cat used to just sit around all day and then when I found this, when it came out, I was like 'I really want this' because it's like my cat but a bit more interactive because my cat just used to sit there all day because he was blind."

FurReal Roarin' Tyler costs £134.99.

But not everything is cute and cuddly at DreamToys in London.

This fluffy unicorn has fangs - it is part of the Feisty Pets range. It doesn't make this year's must-have list.

In many countries the top-selling toy at the moment is the LOL Surprise by MGA - the same people who gave us the Bratz dolls.

These tennis ball sized toys contain tiny dolls which can be dressed and accessorised.

LOL Surprise is part of the the blind-bag collectible trend which is seeing enormous growth - in the UK collectible sales increased by 24 per cent in 2017 compared to the previous year and represent one in every five toys sold, according to analysts the NPD Group.

LOL was only launched in April this year and is already the market leader in the UK, U.S. and Spain.

Andrew Laughthon, senior vice president of Europe, MGA explains what the new LOL Surprise is all about:

"It comes with seven layers of surprise. It builds on the unboxing, every kid can unbox this, so you take each layer off and you get a surprise under each layer. The great thing about it, after you've gone through all those different layers you end up with a fantastic doll at the end."

Retailing at £9.99 it is just in the pocket money price point, but according to Frederique Tutt, a toy industry analyst at the NPD Group, demand is outstripping supply and parents might want to consider shopping earlier rather than missing out later.

She says: "I think it's now (shops are running out of LOL toys) but they're getting supplied as often as they can. But it's the number one selling toy in the US and the UK, in Spain, in many of the countries that the NPD Group tracks. So it's difficult to meet demand."

It's Tutt's job to track trends and she thinks the excitement of children posting on YouTube unboxing videos is driving the collectible market.

She explains: "I think it's the surprise element, the kid doesn't know what's going to be inside so they're really excited to open it and that brings us to some viral videos that we can see on YouTube, the kids unboxing this element of surprise for them is really important and this has been a driving trend in the market this year especially."

Another surprise is hatching inside this large egg.

Summer Meyepa is rubbing the egg to speed up the hatching process of her Hatchimal - of course, she doesn't yet know what is inside.

She says: "It's actually a Hatchimal, I'm not sure which one because they're always a surprise so I'm hoping it's going to be a really good one that's really cuddly and really cute."

It takes a lot of rubbing to warm up the baby Hatchimal but soon there is movement inside and Summer's excitement increases as the egg cracks open and two babies pop out.

"It is actually dancing, it's literally just cracked it and I've got one... I've got two, and I think that they're maybe twins," she says.

Hatchimals Surprise cost £74.99 from Spin Master Toys.

Another collectible are the Fingerling monkeys from WowWee, priced at £14.99.

These little monkeys cling to your fingers and have 40 actions and 50 different sounds.

Nine year old Abigail Silverlock has been making her monkeys react to her.

She says: "I like to collect them because then you can just hang them all over you and you can hang them on your fingers and your bags and your cardigans."

It might all look like fun and games but this is a serious business, in the UK alone annual Christmas toy sales are worth £1.2 billion according to the NPD Group's Consumer Tracking Service.

The average Christmas toy spend per child is £121 (up to age 11) with an average of 11 presents received.

But after a particularly buoyant 2016, the toy market in the UK is slightly down year-on-year and will be hoping to regain ground over the important Christmas period.

Gary Grant, chair of the DreamToys committee says: "In 2017 so far the (toy) market is down about two per cent and I think it's a lack of confidence in the market place, brought about by a number of factors, the Brexit factor, there's a lack of confidence, the general economic factor, there's a lack of confidence, rising prices, whether that's fuel prices for vehicles or whether it's interest rates that have just gone up a quarter of a point, that is going to drain an element of disposable income out of people's pockets so we're going through uncertain times. But 40 per cent of the toy trade's entire year turnover is just in a very short period of eight weeks and we've every expectation that by the time we get to Christmas Eve we will have caught up on the small decline that we've experienced year-to-date."

The Christmas sales drive is already in full swing... but will toy retailers be landing on their feet at the end of the festive period?

London, November 8, 2017

1. Mid of boy flying drone

2. Close of boy tilts down to remote control

3. Wide of children playing at Dream Toys

4. Wide top shot of event and Christmas tree

5. Pull focus of star on Christmas tree

6. Mid of Louise Edwards playing with FurReal Roarin' Tyler (£134.99)

7. Close of Tyler being stroked

8. Low angle of Louise telling Tyler to lie down

9. Close of Louise tickling the tiger

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Louise Edwards, nine-year-old, voxpop

"Because my cat used to just sit around all day and then when I found this, when it came out, I was like 'I really want this' because it's like my cat but a bit more interactive because my cat just used to sit there all day because he was blind."

11. Various of Feisty Pets Glenda Glitterpoop unicorn

12. Close pan right of LOL Surprise series dolls

13. Tilt up of LOL balls

14. Mid of Andrew Laughthon opening ball

15. Close of opening

16. Mid of same

17. Close of LOL doll with water bottle

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Andrew Laughthon, senior vice president of Europe, MGA

"It comes with seven layers of surprise. It builds on the unboxing, every kid can unbox this, so you take each layer off and you get a surprise under each layer. The great thing about it, after you've gone through all those different layers you end up with a fantastic doll at the end."

19. Various set up shots of Frederique Tutt, global toy industry analyst, NPD Group

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frederique Tutt, global toy industry analyst, NPD Group

"I think it's now (shops are running out of LOL toys) but they're getting supplied as often as they can but it's the number one selling toy in the US and the UK, in Spain, in many of the countries that the NPD Group tracks. So it's difficult to meet demand."

21. Pan right of chart showing the seven layers of surprises in the LOL surprise ball

22. Tilt up of poster for LOL doll reading: (English) "Take me home!"

23. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frederique Tutt, global toy industry analyst, NPD Group

"I think it's the surprise element, the kid doesn't know what's going to be inside, so they're really excited to open it and that brings us to some viral videos that we can see on YouTube, the kids unboxing this element of surprise for them is really important and this has been a driving trend in the market this year especially."

24. Low angle of Summer Meyepa rubbing Hatchimals egg

25. Close of egg being rubbed

26. SOUNDBITE: (English) Summer Meyepa, nine-year-old, voxpop

"It's actually a Hatchimal, I'm not sure which one because they're always a surprise so I'm hoping it's going to be a really good one that's really cuddly and really cute."

27. Close of egg starting to crack

28. SOUNDBITE: (English) Summer Meyepa, nine-year-old, voxpop

"It is actually dancing, it's literally just cracked it and I've got one... I've got two, and I think that they're maybe twins."

29. Wide low angle of Summer playing

30. Wide of Abigail Silverlock playing with Fingerlings monkeys

31. Close of monkeys

32. SOUNDBITE: (English) Abigail Silverlock, nine-year-old, voxpop

"I like to collect them because then you can just hang them all over you and you can hang them on your fingers and your bags and your cardigans and stuff."

33. Set up shot of Gary Grant with Tyler Tiger

34. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gary Grant, chair of the DreamToys committee

"In 2017 so far the (toy) market is down about two per cent and I think it's a lack of confidence in the market place, brought about by a number of factors, the Brexit factor, there's a lack of confidence, the general economic factor, there's a lack of confidence, rising prices, whether that's fuel prices for vehicles or whether it's interest rates that have just gone up a quarter of a point, that is going to drain an element of disposable income out of people's pockets so we're going through uncertain times. But 40 percent of the toy trade's entire year turnover is just in a very short period of eight weeks and we've every expectation that by the time we get to Christmas Eve we will have caught up on the small decline that we've experienced year-to-date."

35. Low angle of boy playing with acrobat toy

35. Close of face

36. Close of finger pressing button

37. Low angle of acrobat jumping and landing upright