Shropshire: Soon to become home of the Twirlywoos
Twirlywoos might not be a word that means much to you just now, but parents be warned – the colourful bird-like creatures of that name could be the next Teletubbies.
And a Shropshire-based toy producer has won the right to create the toys that will accompany the new television series.
The new CBeebies programme was commissioned last week, and has been created by Anne Wood who was previously producer for the runaway international hit the Teletubbies, as well as Pob, Roland Rat, Rosie and Jim, and In The Night Garden.
Twirlywoos are small, bird-like characters who travel about on a big red boat, the programmes creators say, adding that "they love to hide, imitate and be surprised as they discover new things".
Golden Bear Toys, based on Telford's Hortonwood Industrial Estate, has won the licence to make the toys to accompany the series.
It will launch a series of products for the autumn/winter 2015 season which will include play-sets and figurines, bath toys and games, and activity products.
The toys have been designed at the company's Telford headquarters, and prototypes made, although they will be manufactured in China.
John Hales, chairman of the Telford-based firm, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded the Global Master Toy License for Twirlywoos. Anne Wood has created a wonderful new children's programme that will reinforce our position as a leading specialist in licensed pre-school products.
"Our in-house design team is looking forward to creating a really innovative and engaging product range."
General manager Barry Hughes added: "Anne Wood is a national institution, who is multi-Bafta award winning, and she really understands the essence of pre-school children and what they love.
"We think children and their parents will fall in love with the programme and we are delighted to have the right to make the toys."
Peter Byrne is the executive vice president of DHX Brands, the consumer products arm of DHX Media which is handling merchandise for the new series.
He said: "Anne Wood and her team at Ragdoll Productions have an exceptional track record in creating standout preschool content, and Golden Bear have a superb pedigree in the preschool toy arena, so it's a natural fit."
It comes as part of a string of successes for Golden Bear which saw the company land a huge success with its Ninky Nonk train toy, part of the In The Night Garden range.
It has also won the right to the classic toy range Forever Friends, which owner Hallmark is hoping to re-establish as a popular children's range.
Also scheduled for release in the autumn-winter 2015 season, it will include infant toys such as teethers, rattles, mobiles, and cot and pram toys.
