Fight Christmas! Mothers clash in Hamleys and have to be separated by security guards

British film star Margaret Lockwood and her daughter Toots pictured shopping in Hamleys in 1949

The world famous toy store began more than 250 years ago in the heart of London.

William Hamley, who grew up in Bodmin, Cornwall, opened a ‘Noah’s Ark’ toy shop crammed with everything from rag dolls to tin soldiers in 1760.

By 1837 during Queen Victoria’s reign, Hamleys had already become a London landmark. Now owned by William’s grandsons, it was said to attract families, nobility, and royalty of the day.

And in 1881 Hamleys opened a new branch in Regent Street that had five extra floors of toys.

‘We can only imagine the spectacle as toy theatres, puppets, pedal cars and miniature railway trains jostled for space in the largest toy shop in the world,’ said the company on its website.

However, in the late 1920s the business took a sharp downturn and was forced to close in 1931 due to money trouble. However, that wasn’t the end.

That same year, however, it was purchased and re-opened by Walter Lines, Chairman of the  Tri-Ang company which also made toys.

By 1938 the company had even been rewarded with a Royal Warrant from Queen Mary, authorising the company to display the royal arms. (Queen Elizabeth II also gave one to the toy shop in 1955).

The shop was bombed five times in World War II, but never shut its doors. Staff used to serve customers at the entrance, rushing inside to grab the toys they wanted to buy wearing tin hats. 

Continued success meant the shop outgrew its home and moved to 188 – 196 Regent Street, where it is still open today. 

Since then, the business has also gone global with stores in Dubai and Denmark among other countries.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk