A BARBIE wannabe was on hand to delight the crowds of children who were choosing which doll they wanted in their stocking this Christmas.

A real-life Barbie doll look-alike, who actually goes simply by the name Barbie, signed autographs for queues of children in Harrogate's Toymaster store, in James Street, on Saturday afternoon.

The guest appearance was to promote Barbie dolls as Christmas presents and to celebrate selling one billion Barbies and other members of her family since the fashion conscious doll burst on to the toy shop shelves 40 years ago.

Updated: 11:43 Monday, October 29, 2001