British babies receive an average of £702 worth of gifts before they are even a day old. But what on earth are we buying them? JO HAYWOOD reports.

IT'S not every day that the local lollipop lady turns up on your doorstep with a fluffy pink bunny under her arm. But, then again, it's not every day that you have a baby.

New research by Toys R Us has revealed that newborns are showered with £702 worth of gifts, a great many of which are bought by relative strangers - neighbours their parents have never spoken to, relatives of workmates and random shopkeepers.

One in ten parents confessed they had received all manner of totally inappropriate gifts along with their cot blankets and teddy bears, most notably tights for boys, teenage clothes and Charles Dickens novels.

Customers at Paul Stride in Acomb are unlikely to leave with Nicholas Nickleby under their arm, but they could easily part with £702 without trying too hard.

"If you're including the hardware - the cots and pushchairs - I think £702 is probably a bit low," said Kevin Clarkson, a partner in Paul Stride with more than 20 years experience in the babyware business. "Grandparents tend to dig deep when it comes to their first grandchild. One pair of grandparents will buy the pram or pushchair and the other will get the cot.

"Grandparents will bow down to what the mother-to-be wants. If she wants a trendy three-wheeler, that's what they will buy. Our most popular model costs £550."

At the lower end of the scale, people love to buy bedding. A good blanket is still very popular, as are sleepsuits and baby growbags (mini sleeping bags).

If in doubt, said Kevin, go for something practical: "There are a lot of items on the market, mainly from America, that are completely unnecessary. In my experience, British consumers tend to be smart enough not to buy something they don't want, would never need and won't miss."

Updated: 09:06 Tuesday, October 11, 2005