Welcome to the play zone.

Harrogate Toy Fair organiser Graham Scott gloves up ready for the opening of the 52nd annual toy-makers' showcase.

From tomorrow until Wednesday, toy manufacturers and buyers from all over the world will be in Harrogate to see what's new, size up the opposition - and try to decide what kids are going to want their mums and dads to buy them for Christmas 2001.

Harrogate is one of the first of a series of toy fairs around the globe in the next month or so which will see the toy industry decide what to back as this year's potential top-seller.

Showcased in Harrogate this weekend will be everything from the latest action dolls, soft toys and battery-operated cars and rescue trucks to animated dragons, computer games, four-foot-high witches and wizards and traditional toys of every shape and size.

But you won't see the range of toys that's on everyone's lips here yet: this early in the season, that's still being kept jealously under wraps. Harry Potter seems set to take more than the book and film worlds by storm when the first Harry movie opens later this year.

Updated: 11:28 Friday, January 12, 2001