THEY were billed as being designed to stimulate and educate young minds.
The only trouble was, the alphabet building bricks contained howlers that even the most academically-challenged schoolboy would have been embarrassed over.
Next to a picture of a brolly was the word `Umberlla' and a boat was accompanied with the word `Yatch'. There was even an `X' Mas Tree.
Suzanne Toulson, who bought the bricks at Morrisons, in Dukinfield, for her nine-month-old grandaughter Millie, said: "There are only 26 words on these toys. You'd think they'd be able to get them all right."
The £3.22 toys were made in China and stocked in many of Morrisons 382 stores But despite the misspelled words, store bosses initially refused to take the toys off the shelves.
Mrs Toulson, of Cheetham Hill Road, Dukinfield, was told that replacement toys without the errors were on order but stores would continue to sell them until stocks had run dry.
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Mrs Toulson said: "I took the bricks to the manager. They are very much presented as educational toys and I told him that they simply didn't do their job if the spelling on them was wrong.
"When I contacted their customer services, they told me that new stocks were on their way but they were not going to withdraw the ones with mistakes but let them `fizzle out' instead. I couldn't believe their attitude.
"I have been back to my local store and there are at least a dozen toys on the shelves which still have the same mistake."
But after the M.E.N. contacted Morrisons, the decision was reversed.
A spokeswoman said: "The children's soft blocks have been withdrawn from sale in all stores. Customers can return the products to store for a full refund.
"Morrisons apologises for any inconvenience caused and the issue is being investigated with suppliers."
But the company's delay in acting on the concerns was criticised by language champions.
Chrissie Maher, founder of Plain English Campaign, says: "If a major name like Morrisons can't get their ABC right, what chance do our children have to learn their Ps and Qs.
"Morrisons need to go back to school."
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Obviously a slow Bank Holiday news period!
i kant sea wat the problem his, wear kan i get a cet four meself
I had the same biulding blocks wen i wer gruwing up and eye can spel finne!!!
Wot rhubish!
No one under the age of 25 can spell in the UK anyhow, did you ever receive a text message from one of these?
So the buyer has been sacked has (s)he.
Or more likly sakced.
Fat chance, there is no accountability these days.
Made in China tat! We need British made products that actually have decent standards through the manufacturing process!
And we are getting a Chinese ID Card and NIR system - also not wanted.
""Made in China tat! We need British made products that actually have decent standards through the manufacturing process! ""
And with the current standards of education in UK schools .. would we have done any better??
I always like it when the soap dodging eco warriors complain we send all our plastic rubbish to China for recycling....
China also sends its plastic rubbish to us in the form of "tat" !
""Made in China tat! We need British made products that actually have decent standards through the manufacturing process!"
What an outdated attitude. I'm typing this on a perfect, China made, Apple iMac. You can stick with your British Leyland Austin Allegro mate.
It is normal to find spelling mistakes or poor English on some goods from China. Not all but mainly on the home grown ones that are made without outside specification.
China has saved the UK, the range of taxes on imported goods being higher than anything produced from a British business. But apart from a few basics (including processed food), there is little being produced from mass manufacturing processes.
[sarcasm] That kid's never going to be able to spell yacht or umbrella because of these bricks, Morrisons ought to be ashamed.
Probably designed by some of the commentators on this site.
Yes bring back British goods from British Companies. Like Kwik Save and Price Rite.
MPs gravy train
Hamish Macbeth, Whitefield
I was referring to this country buying crap Chinese products.....the major supermarkets is full of crabby fall apart after 2 washes clothes and microwave meals full of chemicals.....We need to give kids a good grounding. Text talk is so annoying....." it iz so gud innit m8" marvellous.......the building blocks of chavs!
HANG ON A MINUTE .............
IN THIS INCREASINGLY "CHAV" RIDDEN ERE WE NOW LIVE IN .......... AM I CORRECT IN THINKING THAT THIS SPELLING IS NOW ACTUALLY CORRECT ?????????,
Judging by the written abilities of many people nowadays I do fear that this is the case !!!!
Methinks that if you are a buyer for Morrisons you should have at least basic English language skills ?????????????? (have those jobs now gone to people who have no command of our language ??????),
Lets get back to the Queens English !!!!!, thats if anyone can actually remember it ??? ..........
£3.22! If you pay peanuts - you get monkeys!
Chrissie Maher allegedly said: "If a major name like Morrisons can't get their ABC right, what chance do our children have to learn their Ps and Qs."
Did she really say that with a full stop at the end?
If so, she shouldn't be quacking on on behalf of the Plain English Campaign, should she?
Sorry "are" to correct my mistake!