THE countdown to Christmas is now well and truly underway, and the Warrington Guardian has enlisted some of the town’s top toy testers to find out which presents youngsters are hoping to unwrap on the big day.

With less than 50 days to go until Father Christmas arrives, our four lucky competition winners headed down to Toys R Us Warrington on Gemini Retail Park to test the most wanted gifts of this festive season.

And both Joe Rodgers, 10, and seven-year-old Evan Tinsley from Latchford picked the Laser X laser tag game as their favourite of this year’s top Christmas toys.

Joe, from Appleton, said: “It was just fun to play with - it was really good.”

Ruby Wilkinson, from Orford, chose the Fur Real Roarin’ Tyler the Playful Tiger - an interactive cuddly tiger - as her favourite festive pick.

The eight-year-old said: “It was really interactive and it’s really pretty.”

Meanwhile nine-year-old Daisy Rose put the LOL Big Surprise Doll, a mystery box unwrapped layer by layer containing a total of 50 gifts, at the top of her list to Father Christmas.

Daisy, from Sankey Bridges, said: “I liked all of the toys but I think my favourite was the LOL Big Surprise Doll.

“It comes with lots of stuff and it’s a lot of fun.”

The LOL Surprise Doll has been one of the biggest sellers so far in the build up to Christmas, with stocks regularly selling out as soon as they are delivered to the Europa Boulevard store.

Assistant store manager Julie Wilson said: “Without a doubt, the best-selling toy and the one we get asked for most is the LOL Big Surprise Doll.

“Whenever we are taking phone calls, that’s what they’re all about.

“They never even hit the shelves - we get them in to the store and they’re gone straight away.

“But we are getting stocks through regularly for all of the main toys, including LOL Big Surprise Dolls - whereas last year when Hatchimals were the must have toy we weren’t getting as many.”

It is also expected that the Zoomer Enchanted Unicorn and Luvabella will prove popular among girls, while boys are likely to be asking Santa Claus for Laser X, Lego and Nerf.

Julie added: “For the boys, Laser X has been a popular one as well as Lego - in particular Star Wars and Ninjago Lego.

“Nerf is also still very popular for boys.”

Toys R Us Warrington have picked out the top 11 toys expected to fly off the shelves this Christmas:

Animal Alley Giant Unicorn - £29.98

Cra-Z-Slimy Creations Silly Slimy Fun Kit - £19.99

Fantastic Gymnastics - £18.99

Fur Real Roarin’ Tyler the Playful Tiger - £134.99

JoJo Siwa Sew Cool Bow Maker - £19.99

Laser X - £49.99

Lego Star Wars BB8 - £84.99

LOL Big Surprise Doll - £59.99

Luvabella - £99.99

Paw Patrol Sea Patroller - £69.99

Zoomer Enchanted Unicorn - £89.99