Every year there’s a “Tracy Island” (as in the Thunderbirds toy that sold out almost overnight). In the run-up to Christmas it becomes a must-have with children, and anxious parents spend days trying to track one down. It may already be too late to find some popular items. Retailers we approached said the following items are vanishing fast:

Nintendo Wii, £179 The games console has been in short supply for months and the maker has now said demand may well outstrip supply. The website www.wii-consoles.co.uk lists where the console was last in stock, but it’s a long shot and units are selling on eBay for up to £500

HomerSapien, £70 The dancing Robosapien robot was the daddy of robotic toys, and this new version, right, decked out to look and speak like Homer Simpson, should be just as popular. Indeed, Hamleys suggests you get your skates on, or you’ll be the one saying “D’oh”.

Xbox 360 Core, £180 It’s not just the Wii that’s selling like hot cakes. Game, one of the country’s biggest console retailers, revealed it is totally out of Xbox 360 Core consoles, the cheapest version of the Xbox 360. Anyone for Pac-Man?

iTeDDy, £60 This teddy bear has a media-playing device in its stomach that lets kids play educational games and sing along to music. It has sold out several times at Argos, and the retailer says stocks may not last the festive rush.

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