The survey, conducted by catalogue store Argos to celebrate its 35th birthday, looked at the top toys in that period.

Despite the coloured bricks being most popular, with 56 per cent rating them their childhood favourite, it was Scalextric that Britons always wanted but never got.

A quarter of all men polled said they had longed to own a set but never got one.

The miniature building blocks also appear to be a timeless favourite, as they still feature in Argos's top ten toys for 2008.

The Lego Star Wars set and iconic Rubik's Cube both made it into the list, following the retro trend seen in many retailers’ lists released throughout the month.

Ian Chaplin, toys trading manager for Argos, said: "A key toy trend for winter 2008 is high-tech, with the strong emergence of electronic and gaming toys.
But there is also a revitalisation of classics like Lego and Rubik's Cube, and with kids growing up fast these traditional classics will always be important in offering parents a balance of traditional and modern toys for their children."

Licensed toys are also featured strongly in this year's favourites.

Argos' top ten prediction:

• Leapfrog Tag Reading System
• In the Night Garden Upsy Daisy and Her Chase 'n' Play Bed
• Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera
• High School Musical Figurine 6 Pack
• Girl Tech Stylin' Studio
• Baby Born with Magic Potty
• Bop It Extreme
• Lego Star Wars
• Rubik's Cube
• Ben 10 Omnitrix

Argos interviewed more than 1,000 people aged 16 and upwards from around the country in its poll on the nation's favourite toy.