BASIL Brush's owner Entertainment Rights is hoping the celebrity fox's debut single will lead to a boom in sales of merchandise this Christmas.

Basil, who will soon be returning to UK screens with a second series of his BBC sitcom, is due to launch his bid for chart success in November as toys and games reach the shops in time for the Christmas rush.

After an appearance at the Proms in the Park earlier this month, where he performed his B-side track, Basil is due to go on tour in the coming weeks - visiting shopping centres around the UK.

He will also release an album next year, featuring solo raps and duets.

But chief executive Mike Heap said that although the company would be keen to see chart success, the "real money" lay in merchandising.

He said: "While obviously it would be nice to be number one or number two, it is not of huge financial importance. It is part of our overall repositioning of the brand."

Entertainment Rights, which is based in London, is hoping for a strong sales performance from its characters, who include Postman Pat, during the rest of the year after seeing earnings slip in the first six months.