COWABUNGA dudes! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the pizza-eating scourges of evil, are back and are set to storm the nation’s stores as the best-selling toy of Christmas.

A decade after they disappeared back into the sewers they have been remodelled and updated to appeal to a new generation of children.

Leonardo, Raphael, Michaelangelo and Donatello, all turtles with attitude, remain as green as when they were launched in 1989 but they are now leaner and meaner and they carry mobile phones.

They were relaunched earlier this year with a new television series and have proved so popular that the British Association of Toy Retailers expects them to battle it out with Barbie as the number one Christmas bestseller.

Val Stedham, chairman of the association, said: “Things come round again in all types of fashion and that’s as true for toys as it is for clothes.”

Emma Shershi, marketing director for the Turtles’ makers Vivid Imaginations, said that nostalgia among purchasers is one of the main reasons for the success. Her colleague, Jennifer Lawlor, added: “The original Turtles were quite cute and cuddly. This time they’re darker and meaner in look and feel. They’re more muscular and fitter.”

Dear Santa: Top ten toys for Christmas

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ... £7
Swan Lake Barbie ... £20
Bratz Winter Collection ... £25
Cranium board game ... £25
Badge It ... £15
Bionicles ... £7
Yu-Gi-Oh! ... £7
Boohbah ... £15
LeapPad Learning System ... £30
Beyblades Radio Control Top & Launcher ... £30

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