CHRISTMAS wish lists are dominated by a toy which has its roots as firmly in East Lancashire as it does Egypt.

Isis, a cult puzzle ball, looks set to take the nation by storm and lead quiz addicts on a nationwide hunt for clues.

And while Isis is based on Egyptian hieroglyphic puzzles, the shiny alloy balls are being constructed at a secret location in Burnley.

The company behind the brainteaser is Warrington-based SonicWarp. Dave Thomas, who runs the company with Andrew Reeves, said: "As we are manufacturing it in Burnley we are able to take pride in British constru-ction and engineering.

"We have young families and the idea was born out of how to get kids off the TV and add value to their intellect.

"It gets them off the computer and engaged in other things."

Mr Thomas is keeping the manufacturing location a secret for security reasons, as Isis balls are selling for £95.

The decision to choose Burnley came from its proximity to his Warrington base and the fact the town could offer the engineering expertise required.

Each Isis provides a separate adventure and once owners register them on the website they set about cracking codes.

When hieroglyphic codes have been solved, the puzzle opens, providing the owner with a key that leads to one of 20 secret locations across the UK.

At the locations are stored pyramids, one of which contains a token for gold coin worth £500, with 20 more containing silver tokens worth £20 to be reclaimed at the shop the Isis was bought from.

A number of Isis balls have been snapped up at shops throughout East Lancashire.

David Cowgill, of Cowgills, in Market Place, Clitheroe, said: "We bought six and I'm confident we will shift them.

"They are really for the person who has everything and can spend time finding the clues."

Rose Fowler, of Mercer's, Northgate, Blackburn, said: "It's got a lot of interest but a lot of people don't how much it is going to be before they stepped in the store and that puts them off a bit."