From Chatty Cathy dolls to electric train sets - all these were hits in the Christmas shops of 1960s Hartlepool

Here is the answer in a look back at the big-selling toys, dolls, and treats for mum and dad. We found them all in a search of the Hartlepool Mail archives.

In 1962, Fred Flinstone in his go-cart was a favourite demand from Santa Claus.

Junior medical kits with stethoscopes and other instruments were just as popular thanks to the influence of Dr Kildare.

The most popular doll was Chatty Cathy at £5, 19 shillings and six pence, who could come out with any one of a dozen sayings.

For the more inventive youngster, the electronics laboratory instructed youngsters to rig up systems including a burglar alarm, or a household’s electrical circuit.

In the Hartlepool branch of Binns, mobo scooters and electric railways were popular, while Morris Super Store in Lynn Street was holding a “Sensational Toy Fair” with a huge selection of dolls.

Sales were brisk too at Blacketts in Whitby Street, the Central Stores, in Park Road, Goodall and Lewis and Harris Bargain Store where cowboy and cowgirl suits were a hit.

Two years later, paints and paintings were available from Boanson’s in Church Street which also offered marquetry kits and painting by numbers for children and adults ranging from 3/11 (19p) to 39/6 (£1.98).

Jewellers D A Scott, at number 37, could "solve the problem of what to give your wife for Christmas" with 9 carat gold eternity rings from £4 5s (£4.25) and watches from the likes of Rolex, Accurist and Ingersoll highlighted.

Chemist John C Dyer urged "add Spice to his life" with a wide range of Old Spice toiletries, from after shave to hair tonic and gift sets from 9/3 (46p) to 59/6 (£2.97).

More ideas for men came from Arthur Warr, at number 28, including smoking jackets, cummerbunds and a wide range of shirts, including by Hardy Amies for 45 shillings (£2.25) each.

Children weren’t left out, though perhaps less advertising was directed at them. The Square Sweet Shop had Triang’s Conqueror "all action" electric train set, with "synchrosmoke - the loco puffs real smoke", a rocket launching wagon "the rocket really fires" and exploding car "a direct hit from the rocket and up she goes", all for 87/6 (£4.37).

Department store Blacketts boasted a big selection in its toy department plus "anything from pins and needles to three-piece suites" in other departments.

Edgar Phillips had a wide variety of electrical goods, competing with the nearby NEEB shop, and women were urged to "give your husband a gentle nudge" towards furrier Mendoza, at number 29, with stoles starting at £25.

Andrew C Watt, at number 20, offered a "smoker’s gift guide", ranging from lighters by Ronson and Colibri, to Meerschaum pipes at 105 shillings (£5.25).

Morelands, at number 19, claimed to have the town’s largest selection of purses and wallets, as well as leather covers for the Radio Times magazine and the local telephone directory.

What do you remember buying in years gone by at Christmas? Tell us more by emailing chris.cordner@jpimedia.co.uk.

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