Take a chance on me

The makers of the new Sheffield edition of boardgame favourite Monopoly say they are incensed stores in Donny aren't stocking the local version of the property tycoon game - even though the town's Robin Hood airport takes up one of the squares.

The new Sheffield set is due to hit the streets on September 21 - and despite the concerns of the makers, it looks like there would be interest in the game being sold in Doncaster despite the borough's rivalry with its South Yorkshire neighbour.

"Advance orders have been huge," said the game's promoter Graham Barnes.

"We reckon the only game left on shop shelves by Christmas will be the one on Santa's sleigh.

"But there won't be any for sale in Doncaster. The town has effectively banned it. The silence from retailers there has been deafening.

"It's slightly ironic as Robin Hood Airport is set to feature on one of the squares, though the final line-up is not 100 per cent definite and we may do some final tweaks before the button is pressed for production later this week."

But Sue Morgan, of Doncaster's Waterstone's bookstore, said: "I don't see any reason why the game shouldn't go on sale in Doncaster - if the airport's on there it's good publicity for the area.

"I think it would sell - but why isn't there a Doncaster Monopoly?"

Paul Derby, manager of WH Smith in the Frenchgate Centre, agreed: "I think the Sheffield game would sell in Doncaster. We have various items on sale from both the Sheffield football clubs and we do a good trade in them."

Shoppers in Doncaster town centre said they'd certainly give the Sheffield game a go.

Deborah Bishop, 42, from Adwick, said: "I'd probably buy one, but I'd prefer to play a Doncaster version."

Barman Dave Baxter, 19, agreed: "I love Monopoly - I'd certainly play it!"

Russell Lee, from Hexthorpe, said he thought not selling it would be a bit daft really. "It would be nice to see a Doncaster version - I suppose they'll be one sooner or later," he added.

Ken Hopkins, aged 71, of Bessacarr, said he knew Sheffield very well, adding: "It doesn't really matter where it is based.''

Doncaster's Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Coddington was surprised the set had needed to borrow Doncaster's airport for the game.

He said: "So many things in South Yorkshire seem to be Sheffield based - it's quite amusing really. You'd think Sheffield would have its own airport but they've got nowhere to build one."