Sinclair with the Spectrum and Commodore with the C64 were the winners in the last-minute Christmas sales rush.

Between them they accounted for around 65 per cent of all home micros sold with the Spectrum (in both its guises) outselling the C64.

For Acorn, the figures make depressing reading. Despite its expensive TV advertising campaign, the Electron accounted for only around nine per cent of home micro sales, and the BBC B around four per cent. In fact, the BBC B was overtaken by the Amstrad, which accounted for around five per cent of all sales. The Commodore 16 accounted for four per cent.

Perhaps the biggest loser was MSX, which taking all models together barely made an impression on the buying public. This was predictable, as few of the MSX manufacturers showed any sign of wanting to take this Christmas seriously.

The figures come from RAM/C, the market research company that compiles the PCN Charts (see page 5). According to Simon Treasure, RAM's managing director, Sinclair's and Commodore's share of the market is a significant increase on last year, and they now dominate this market sector.

News of the figures hit Acorn's share price with the company forced to respond with a public relations campaign to re-inspire City confidence. An Acorn spokesman said that sales of both the BBC and the Electron over the Christmas period were satisfactory.