An increasing number of parents are purchasing traditional wooden toys for their children.

Retailers and manufacturers have reported a small but fast-growing increase in the number of parents purchasing traditional wooden toys, according to a report by the Times newspaper.

It is believed the trend is down to worries over Chinese toy recalls this year amid fears over levels of lead in paint. As a result, toys such as wooden dolls houses, building blocks and rocking horses have all seen a rise in sales, the publication says, with sales of wooden garages, cash registers and jigsaws even doubling.

UK high street retailer Marks & Spencer has reported a 25% increase in sales of wooden toys – the fastest selling items are a Noah’s arc retailing at £25 and a £15 wooden xylophone.

An M&S spokeswoman told the Times she believes the trend is partly down to nostalgia. She said: “We’ve definitely noticed more [customers] wanting to buy toys that were important to them when they were children. Our wooden toys in particular have been very popular because they have a long life, so parents feel they can pass them down through the generations.”

It is also thought that an increasing number of parents are responding to Government campaigns which warn against children spending too much time indoors playing computerised games, stunting their imagination and leading to a lack of exercise.

In addition to M&S, UK stores including John Lewis and Woolworths have reported increases in wooden toy sales.

To cope with increased demand, the Early Learning Centre has also introduced a new range of classic toys made with wood from sustainable sources. Items include wooden spinning beads, a rocking horse, carved animals, post box, and wooden trike and trailer.

By Natasha Piscitelli