Lego profits tumble after brick surplus

CUT-PRICE Lego set LEGO has suffered its first profits fall for 13 years after making too many bricks.

The Danish toy firm had to clear excess stock at lower prices to make way for new products.

Profits fell 18% to £1.3billion last year, the first drop since 2004 when it was close to collapse.

The launch of the Lego Ninjago movie and demand for Lego Star Wars products failed to halt a slide in sales, which fell 8% to £4.2billion.

There are also claims children are ditching its plastic bricks.

Lego said of its excess stock sale: “The toy trade is driven by newness.”

The downturn comes six months after the firm, which has 900 UK staff, announced plans to slash 1,400 jobs.