THERE is hope! They are words that will come as music to parents’ ears as they desperately try and get their hands on this year’s must have Christmas toy. They are small, fluffy and measure little more than ten centimetres, and they have proved mighty tricky to get hold of so far this year.

Mums and dads have been queuing outside toy stores, information exchanged on where deliveries may or may not be taking place while internet sites have been selling them for up to five times the recommended retail price.

We are of course talking hamsters. Go Go Pets Hamsters to be precise, offering all the fun of hamsters but without the hassle of cleaning out a cage.

Hassle they have proved to be though, as the demand for the £9.99 ‘poopless pet’ has gone through the roof.

Such has been the hysteria all the leading retailers are selling out within hours of getting a delivery, meaning the toy is living up to his go go go reputation.

But when contacted by Mum About Town distributors, Character Options assured parents more stock would be regularly delivered to local stores in the run up to Christmas. A spokesman said an “intense breeding programme” meant more hamsters should be hitting the shelves soon.

Toys R us flagship store in Southampton saw parents queuing after information was received that a delivery would be made overnight. Store manager Marc Etheridge said: “Toys r Us were aware of the popularity of the product and bought into it early so we have been pretty well stocked and only ran out for the first time last week.

“We will be getting more deliveries regularly in the run up to Christmas so the message is do not panic.”

The chain is operating a one hamster per customer policy to ensure supply meets demand.

Independent retailers Toy Cupboard in Winchester has also been staggered at the demand. Manager Maria Holbrook said: “We have had so many people either come in to ask or call, it is certainly what everyone has been after. Maybe it’s because of the price or because of all the adverts on the television but we sold out a while ago, we are hopefully getting some more in before Christmas though.”

Jerry Healy, Marketing Director for Character Options, commented: “We knew Go Go pets would be a winner with the kids as it ticks so many boxes in what is wanted by the age group. They’re cute and fun and have hilarious interactive features plus really affordable at just £9.99.

“We are however, taken aback by the surge in sales and are having to do all we can to replenish stock as quickly as possible.”