It is the 21st Century and you might expect Santa's sleigh to be filled with the latest in toy technology.

Sales of video games, action figures and computerised dolls are high but the only thing flying off the shelves this Christmas could have been as popular with parents 20 years ago as their children today.

Badge It is a modestly priced kit which allows youngsters to turn their favourite pictures into unique badges. It may not be flashy and does not have a microchip but demand is soaring.

The taste for the traditional does not end there - shops catering for classic games and dolls are reporting good business while those with more modern selections seem to be struggling.

Keith Ansell, executive buyer for Gamleys toy store based at the head office in Brighton, is worried takings could be down.

He said: "Sales have been quieter than last year and it's like everyone is leaving everything to the last minute.

"It could be the recent bad weather or the economic climate. Business will definitely have to pick up in the next two or three weeks."

The two-faced goblin Gollum from Lord Of The Rings has sold out at Gamleys but the character has not made the store's top ten - the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are proving even more popular.

Michael Pizzey, manager of Potters, which sells traditional wooden toys and games, is far more optimistic about the holiday season.

He said: "We have quite a few toys which are selling very, very well. We moved premises from East Street to Meeting House Lane in the last year so we are not as busy as last Christmas but we knew this would be so. Business has met our expectations and we are pleased."

Some of his fastest sellers include a giant hand-painted Noah's Ark, musical instruments and educational toys such as a build-your-own metal detector and crystal radio sets.

Mr Pizzey puts his shop's success down to people going back to basics and wanting top quality and durability.

He said: "When parents and grandparents come into our shop they see things they had when they were children. They remember how much fun they had with them and see that wooden toys will last that bit longer as well."

The popularity of Badge It has surprised Mr Ansell, who said: "These badge-making machines have been around since the dark ages.

"It is nothing new and quite a basic toy but I think that is becoming a strength in the face of all the electronic stuff and video games."

Another big seller this year is the Brighton and Hove edition of Monopoly, launched earlier this year.

Stores are confident they are meeting demand - unlike some years when parents searched desperately for the toy of the moment whether it was a Teletubby or Tamagotchi.

Mr Ansell said: "There seems no obvious trend, which is unusual because there is normally one toy parents and children go mad for."