TWENTY FIVE years ago this week panicked parents the length and breadth of the country were desperately trying to get their hands on a Buzz Lightyear figure.

The doll, one of the stars of Toy Story and the Disney Store’s biggest seller ever, topped children’s Christmas wish lists, but sold out within minutes of being released.

Four years earlier mums and dads were queuing to buy a Tracy Island after Thunderbirds became a hit for the second time around on TV.

When the shops sold out children's programme Blue Peter and presenter Anthea Turner came to the rescue by showing people how they could make their own version out of household items.

It was a far cry from the early 1970s when a Space Hopper, costing about £2 was what almost every child wanted. Through the years trends have changed, from Cabbage Patch dolls in the 1980s and Polly Pockets in the 90s to Fidget Spinners, iPhones and Harry Potter Lego.

Lego is up there among the most popular toys again this year, along with Nintendo Switch, Squishmallows and Funko Pop dolls as well as old favourites like Barbie, Playmobil and My Little Pony.