FURBY - the fluffy talking phenomenon, which took the country by storm at Christmas and had frantic parents camping outside toyshops, has spawned a new addition to the family...the Furby Buddy.

Furby Buddy

"I'm your Furby Buddy - a loveable bean-filled bag that you can take anywhere," screams the explanatory leaflet. But that's it. Because these miniature owl-eyed creatures are mute.

Although the diminutive Furby Buddy is just as cute as his older sibling he is not blessed with his endearing gift of the gab and famous Furby phrases such as 'E-tah', 'Doo-ay' and 'hhhhungry'. Nor will his glassy eyes make any attempt to blink or his pink ears rotate when you tickle them, but at £4.99 a throw, who cares. The new toy will be on sale from next month.

The Furby Buddy could be seen as an adorable and affordable substitute for the original version and according to the manufacturer, is ideally suited for younger children who perhaps don't yet have the maturity to look after the battery- powered prototype.

Julie Scarr, a public relations assistant for Tiger UK, based in Harrogate, which imports the Furby range, said: "This is the next step."

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