I'm dreaming of a toy-packed Christmas...

HE'S fun, friendly, furry – and surely one of the most talented dogs you could ever hope to meet.

Best of all you don't have to take him out for long walks on cold winter mornings – nor will you need one of those bothersome pooper scoopers to clear up his mess.

No wonder Biscuit the dog has been named as one of this year's Dream Toys for Christmas.

At a recommended price of £149.99, the lifesize FurReal Pup is one of the most expensive items on the official list predicting this year's Christmas bestsellers, produced by the Toy Retailers' Association.

And for the lucky Evening Post readers who we invited to try out the 12 dream toys at John Lewis in Nottingham, he was a clear winner.

Pals Noah Lord, six, Jack Newnham, five and Joe Catlow, five, from Lady Bay declared the pooch "brilliant".

"He's great, can I take him home?" said Noah. "He's just like a real dog only cuddlier and he does what you tell him to," added Jack.

And Joe was besotted: "We haven't got a real dog at home, but I would like this one."

Other toys to make it onto the dream list this year include Upsy Daisy and her Chase and Play Bed – as seen by millions of toddlers addicted to the cult CBeebies TV series In the Night Garden.

Two-year-old Molly Benner, of Gedling, took one look at the colourful singing doll and the two were soon inseparable. "I can see what Santa will be bringing for her this year," laughed mum Barbara.

Hazel Reynolds, senior buyer for the John Lewis chain, said she thought this year's dream list showed a clear move towards interactive products.

She said: "It's interesting. The Upsy Daisy Doll, the Baby Born with its magic potty and the electronic toys all respond to things that the child does.

"It's not like having a Barbie doll where you just play with it and it doesn't really do anything. Children obviously want toys to give them something back these days."

oonagh.robinson@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk