Figures published today, by the NPD EPoS Retail Tracking Service, reveal Thomas & Friends to be the UK’s number 1 license in the pre-school category. This is the 10th year Thomas & Friends has held pole position in the industry survey - which measures the sale of toys and games across major retailers, demonstrating the unrivalled popularity of the global brand as it enters its 65th anniversary year.

And, what a year 2010 will be, as a whole host of Thomas & Friends toy product is unveiled. Fisher-Price, the brand’s global master licensee, launches a new portable Take n’ Play range this Spring and Megabrands releases a line of new construction toys in Fall. Alongside this, the new ‘Thomas & Friends’ TV series, which features CGI animation for the very first time, premieres on the 25th January on FIVE and DVD 60-minture special ‘Misty Island Rescue’, hits the shelves on 11th October.

Peter Byrne, EVP Consumer Products International, HIT Entertainment said:
“Today’s NPD results reflect the widespread and timeless appeal of Thomas & Friends, a brand which continues to evolve, providing a wealth of entertainment to children around the world. We look forward to taking Thomas to even greater heights this year”.