CHRISTMAS really has come early for the Flood children of Chandler's Ford.

As reported in the Daily Echo, fun-packed boxes poured into 13-year-old Jack Flood's home after he won a national competition to test children's toys.

The mission to find the best toy was set by world-famous toy store Hamleys, of London's Regent Street.

In giving his judgement on 25 toys, Jack was helped by his brother and sisters, Jamie, 15; Chelsea, 12; Megan, 10 and eight-year-old Molly.

The children, along with mum and dad Caroline and Trevor, were invited to London for a spectacular ceremony where the best toy of 2004 was unveiled at Hamleys' flagship store.

Mrs Flood said: "We went up and came back in a limo. We had a fantastic weekend and stayed at the Hilton Metropole.

"The children had a discount card for Hamleys so they were able to add to their toy collection."

The Floods were one of 12 families across the country who were part of the judging panel.

The toy of the year was Robosapien, a robot designed by a NASA scientist. It was not part of the fun-packed collection tested by the Chandler's Ford family. Jack and his brother and sisters have made sure that it will be in their Christmas stockings!