Xploder: Natalie Mackley, 11, with Willy Wonka at the launch of the new Xploder chocolate bar. Picture: Garry Atkinson

Willy Wonka is to make an "exploding" chocolate bar - the Xploder - at Nestl Rowntree's York factory.

And children are bidding to win a gold card entitling them and their families to an expenses-paid weekend in York, including a visit to the complex in Wigginton Road.

Roald Dahl's book about Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, where weird and wonderful sweets and chocolates are made, has gripped the imaginations of generations of children since it came out more than 20 years ago.

Now Nestl has taken on Willy's mantle, acquiring the rights to use his name on new brands.

Nerds and dweebs are already made at Nestl factories elsewhere, and now Xploder is being made in the York factory's Yorkie chocolate plant. The "tongue crackling chocolate" contains popping candy which creates an exploding sensation in the mouth.

Spokesman Paul Kirkwood says the Xploder is going to be one of the most talked about confectionery products of 1999 - especially among the target market of six to 12-year-old children.

"Xploder has all the excitement and unpredictability of Mr Willy Wonka himself!"

The bar, to be launched next month with half-a- million pounds worth of TV advertising and sampling exercises, is priced at 25p.

The Gold Card contest is being launched as a promotion for Xploder Easter eggs sold at Tesco's. Children have the chance to enter a draw to win one of five gold cards entitling them to go with their families on a dream visit to York.

The Wonka Xploder bursts on the scene

Exploding chocolate? What ever will they think of next!

Confectionery wizards at Nestl have unveiled the latest treat - the Wonka Xploder bar. It's the chocolate bar that pops in the mouth, but would it wow the real choccy experts who consume sweets by the bag load during the school holidays.

We sent reporter Emma Harrison to the Barbican Centre in York to try out the new chocolate sensation on children at the Easter activity clubs. Here's what they had to say.

Caroline Jillings, ten, and her brother, Gavin, seven, from South Bank, thought the chocolate was a fizz sensation. Caroline said: "It's tangy in my mouth, I like it." Gavin added: "It's OK, in fact I definitely like it. It fizzes in my mouth - I would buy it if I had some pocket money left."

Emma Palfrey, 11, also from South Bank, said: "It's really gorgeous, I like the fizz, it makes my mouth tingle."

Cheryl Bellerby, 11, from Heworth, said: "It's a sizzle in a chocolate bar. It tingles in my mouth even when I've finished eating it." Her friend, Jonathan Saunders, 11, from Heworth: "It's nice - I'd definitely buy it. It's different to anything I've tasted before."

John Verity, six, and his little sister, Elizabeth, four, both thought the chocolate was like the breakfast cereal Rice Krispies. John said: "I like the popping, it pops for ages. I can still hear it in my ears." Elizabeth added: "The chocolate is nice, I would buy it with my pocket money. It's funny, I can hear it popping in my ears"

Jonathan Hall, aged seven, from Osbaldwick, thought the chocolate tasted like lemonade: "You can hear it popping in your mouth. I probably would buy it because I like lemonade, and this tastes like it."

Lindsey Magill, 14, and her sister, Holly, 12, with their friend, Laura Murray, all from Haxby, thought the chocolate was great. Lindsey said: "It's still fizzing and it's all gone from my mouth." Holly added: "It's really nice, it's all crackly."

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