OKEHAMPTON-based Brookite, the UK's longest established kite manufacturers who have always managed to introduce fresh new kite concepts each year for over 100 years, have done it again with the launch of two 'Junior Power' kites.

The development of the Sky Witch and Sky Wizard models has resulted from a huge surge of interest in power kiting and the increase in beach competitions for the Goliaths of the kiting world.

Brookite's managing director, Nick Harrison said: 'There are sport kites designed to perform precise controlled movements with the emphasis on manoeuvrability and there are power kites which pit the strength of the individual against the elements.

'Power kites can generate huge amounts of pull and can take the uninitiated by surprise. Only the strong and experienced should attempt to fly them,' he said.

'However, as interest has soared, we felt it necessary to provide a choice of power kites designed as starter models so that the effects of flying this kind of kite can be experienced by beginners.'

Nick Harrison added that interest in kites continues to increase and that sales have improved by some 40% over last year.

'Being a rurally based company, foot and mouth certainly had a negative effect on our performance last year although sales didn't actually go down but remained stable.

'This year, however, sales of kites and our other range of out door products have soared.'

Dartmoor based Brookite also make a range of hobby horses, toy sailing boats and outdoor windsocks and garden decorations.

Also new for this year is a new 'Bubbles Up' range of bubble blowing magic.

Nick Harrison added: 'We try to introduce new products each year across the range and for all ages.

'With this in mind our 'Bubbles Up' range features traditional bubble blowing fun alongside battery operated sets but everything is designed to distract and amuse in a predominantly outdoor environment.' he said.