Lego unveils Bob the Builder toys

Lego is launching a set of toys based on children’s TV show Bob the Builder, this autumn.

The Danish toy company has been licensed by HIT Entertainment, the production company behind the popular TV show, to produce the toys as part of its Lego Duplo range, aimed at children aged between two and five.

As well as plastic figures of construction worker Bob and his business partner Wendy there will be a range of colourful trucks and tools.

The TV programme, which will be shown in the US for the first time this month, has spawned a host of merchandise, including games and puzzles as well as a number one record, featuring Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrisey.

Character Options, another toy company keen to exploit the popularity of a TV show, is launching a set of dolls based on Popstars, the ITV series which follows the making of a pop band.

The dolls, which were unveiled at this week’s Toy Fair, will remain faceless until the final band line-up is revealed later this month. They will be accompanied by a range of accessories and will go on sale in March, priced at £14.99 each.

Toy Options, the company behind the Britney Spears and Spice Girls dolls, is also launching a range of remote control stunt vehicles and an Ally McBeal board game in time for Christmas 2001.