Williams faces Wombles in Xmas No1 battle

Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and even The Beatles are facing a new challenge for a Christmas number one - from The Wombles.

The furry friends have fired the first shot in the battle for the festive top spot by cutting a brand new track.

Online bookies Bluesq.com, and William Hill, have both already made them 25-1 to storm the charts - the same odds as the fab four, Madonna and Steps.

Wimbledon Common's finest have teamed up with ex-Wizzard wildman Roy Wood to record "I Wish It Could Be a Wombling Merry Christmas Every Day," and will be accompanied by a special video.

The original song, "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day" by Roy while he was in Wizzard first hit the charts 27 years ago when it reached Number 4.

The man behind the Wombles' music, Mike Batt said: "This is one of the silliest records I have made for a long time. I had the idea at 3 o'clock one morning and was on the phone to Roy the next day."

Jonathan Raab, spokesman for Bluesq.com, said: "We make the Wimbledon Commoners a 25/1 chance to dethrone last years Xmas No 1 kings Westlife, however we may be forced to slash the odds if the public remember they are Wombles."

The children's favourites were the top selling artists of 1974, recording eight hits, including the 'classic' Remember Your a Womble.

Favourites to make it to number one are, Robbie Williams is at 11-2, Spice Girls 4-1, Britney Spears 11-1, S Club Seven 8-1, and Steps at 14-1.