Robosapien is quite a Character

NEXT year's Christmas hit for kids will be a burping robot called Robosapien, if you believe toy developer Character Group.

The company, which has secured exclusive distribution rights for Robosapien, claims its new toy can pick up and throw objects, it can dance and it performs karate moves.

Chairman Richard King said: 'We are really chuffed about this.' He praised the robot's lifelike movements.

Robosapien's appeal is expected to start with five-year-olds and it will retail for less than £100. King will show his robot at January's toy fairs hoping to secure Christmas 2004 orders.

Character's pre-tax profits for the year soared 284% to £5.8m as it exported more toys and moved into digital products. It plans to restore the dividend at 3p.

Having risen rapidly this year, the shares fell 11 1/2p to 149p on profit-taking.