Top toy for Christmas to get parents in a flap

“BRING us back a parrot!” was the cry of canal bank Dublin urchins years ago as they waved to barges seen heading to imagined exotic destinations. Like Meath. Or Kildare.

Now it looks set to be the message from the class of 2007 as they ponder their Christmas wish lists.A whistling, dancing (and artificial) parrot which is said to be life-sized and capable of learning speech is forecast to be top of this year’s toy charts.

Others due to fly off the shelves include a Gibson electric guitar without any strings, transforming robots and the latest Nintendo DS Lite.