Warning of Christmas toy shortage
Stringent checks imposed on Chinese exports are being blamed by high street retailer Woolworths for a possible Christmas toy shortage.
It follows lead paint fears earlier this year which caused a high-profile 1 million recall of toy manufacturer Mattel's Barbie dolls and Disney characters such as those from hit film Cars.
Nick Hill, head of toys at Woolworths, said stores could run out of this year's "must-have" presents.
He said: "Our advice at this stage is to put toys at the top of the priority list for Christmas shopping.
"The situation is changing on a daily basis and it is too early to tell whether there will be shortages of the most popular lines as it gets closer to Christmas Eve."
The company's chief executive, Trevor Bish Jones, is insisting the shortages may not materialise as it is working hard to ensure shipments from China get to the UK on time.
© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
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