Young girl's dream job

4:09pm Sunday 23rd December 2007

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A YOUNG girl will be the envy of all children this Christmas after landing a dream job testing toys.

Abbi Beckett, who is a second year pupil at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, was appointed Head of Play for Eurocamp in the summer to advise them on what children want in their kid's club.

But she said that being a toy expert didn't mean that her family had an impossible job buying her Christmas gifts as she would be happy with surprises.

Abbi, 12, from Billington, said: "I help advise them on what children want so that their holidays are memorable and enjoyable.

"I found out about Eurocamp wanting a child to test toys through a friend. We got talking and I thought it would be good, so I applied.

"I go along every now and again and test toys out. I draw things too and help Eurocamp decide if it's worth them buying something for their kids clubs.

"I'm mainly into outdoor toys because it's good to get out in the sunshine in the summer and be healthy.

"Outdoor games help you to mix with your friends too. Computer games are a bit boring.

"I've been loads of times to Eurocamp so I know just what children want.

"At the moment there's just me, but they're thinking of getting more children in the future.

"I don't know how long I'll be doing it - probably until I get too old - because it is best that children advise."

Abbi added that she has not asked for any toys for Christmas, instead she prefers surprises because "it's too cold for outside toys at the moment."

On Abbi's last birthday in March she decided that she would raise money for charity rather than have presents.

She said: "On my birthday in March me and a friend had a joint party and we decided that it wasn't right to ask for loads of presents because wouldn't use them all.

"So we decided to ask for money to go to helping people with Cystic Fibrosis because some of our friends have it.

"We raised £815, which was really good."

In the future Abbi wants to go into marketing or advertising and work on children's products.

Eurocamp head of sales and marketing Ruth Start said: "It is important we inject fun into every element of our holidays.

"Children are experts in play and are very creative."