Discount DVD players look set to become one of the most popular electrical gifts this Christmas, it emerged today.

Retailers report huge demand for players, which have plummeted in price to under £30.

Supermarket chain Asda has been forced to charter a special flight to secure an extra 30,000 players from the Far East.

High Street chains Dixons and Woolworths say they have experienced a similar sales boost.

An Asda spokeswoman said: "Sales have been incredible. We think they are proving a particular hit with parents buying them for their teenage children to put in their bedrooms."

She said the store's best selling DVD players was a Pacific 1002 model on offer alongside groceries in Asda for £42.82.

The chain expects 30 per cent of annual DVD player sales to come in the run up to Christmas.

Dixons is selling players even cheaper, with one model at £29.99 and another £37.99.

A spokesman said: "The technology has come down in price to the point where they are in the realms of an impulse purchase."

Jo Hall, commercial director at Woolworths, said: "We are rushing stock to stores to meet demand."

Friday December 05, 2003