An action figure based on President-elect Barack Obama has become a huge Christmas hit, according to a Manhattan toy store.

The $12.95 doll which is similar in size to a barbie and was created by Jailbreak Toys.

“They are literally flying off the shelves. The kids see Obama, and they just want to grab him,” a member of staff at the Scholastic Store in SoHo told the New York Daily News.

So far this month over 200 of the toys has been sold in the one store.

Store manager Denys Ramos added: “This holiday season Barack Obama has been our Tickle Me Elmo. We did have the John McCain figure, but we had to discount it.”