FROM Transformers to Iggle Piggle, Star Wars figures to Bratz dolls, there’s been a fascinating toy story going on in Basildon since 1985.

Toys R Us is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the opening of its shop in Basildon Town Centre.

The outlet was one of the first five Toys R Us superstores opened in Britain, along with branches in Cardiff, Bristol, London and Woking.

Two-and-a-half decades, on there are now 75 branches nationwide, but for Basildon residents the local Toys R Us will always conjure up good memories.

Malcolm Buckley – a councillor in the district since 1988 and now Basildon councillor responsible for the environment – remembers the launch of the much-loved toy shop well.

He said: “Toys R Us was a big thing for the town when it opened. “Before that you would have to get your toys from the Co-op, which is now Primark.

“I remember taking my children there just after it opened and being amazed they had every toy you could possibly think of.

“I think the fact the company chose to come here first and has stayed here all this time speaks a lot about Basildon and how we embrace new business.”

Not surprisingly, the store has witnessed a shift in the toys children want to buy. Two decades ago children were nagging their parents for football stickers, Sylvanian Families and Transformers.

But in recent years some of the biggest sellers have been games consoles including the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and XBox 360.

Basildon Toys R Us manager Wendy Grosvenor, 50, who started off as a Saturday girl on the customer service till in 1996, said: “One thing which has remained consistent over the years is the influence of TV and movies over what toys are ‘in’.

“For example, we are expecting Toy Story 3 to have a big impact on sales in the run-up to Christmas.

“I’ve been here a few times when parents have literally been fighting to get their hands on the latest toy.

“Teletubbies, Tracy Island and Star Wars figures, especially, caused a frenzy.”

Wendy added: “I always say you can’t work in this job unless you love toys and children. It’s lovely to see the look on kids’ faces when they come in here with their parents.”

Wendy says despite games consoles flying off the shelves, board games like Monopoly and Operation remain firm favourites.

She added: “When the weather turns and in the run up to Christmas we always sell the old board games – they are still as popular as ever.

“There are so many toys to choose from that there’s something magical about the place – for the young and the young at heart.”