Tolkien rings changes at Games

FRODO and Gandalf, orcs, elves and ringwraiths are proving a powerful fellowship for Games Workshop with models based on The Lord of the Rings trilogy flying off its shelves.

Tom Kirby, chairman of the Nottingham-based fantasy figurines group, said since introducing the Tolkien-based range in late November, demand had slightly exceeded expectations. The five-year deal based around the film trilogy helps cap a remarkable turnaround in Games Workshop's fortunes since the Pokemon craze of 2000 sent its shares down to 100 1/2p. Today they added 6p to 523 1/2p.

In the six months to 2 December revenues in Europe rose by a third, though American growth was a more modest 6%. Pre-tax interim profits surged 48% to £6m on sales up 21% to £51.6m.