The boss of a Cheam-based toy company has won a major national award.

Peter Brown headed Flair and oversaw the success of toy brands like Playmobil, Sylvanian Families, K’nex and coiled classic the Slinky.

Mr Brown received the personality of the year award from the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) on January 25, the opening day of the London Toy Fair.

He said it was a great pleasure to earn such high recognition.

He said: “I am delighted to be presented with the personality of the year award.

“In my years in the industry I have had the privilege of picking up many accolades on behalf of the companies I have worked for or for the products they distribute, and to have been recognised for my own personal achievements by my peers has given me great pleasure.

“It is with the support of all those around me that I have been able to accomplish what I have, in an industry that I love, and I would personally like to thank my colleagues and family for this.”

During the toy fair, it was also announced that Mr Brown would sreceive a lifetime achievement award this summer to recognise his long service to the toy industry – including sitting as chairman and eventually president of the BTHA.