The Toy Industry Association recognized the creativity, imagination and roleplaying fun of the popular LEGO Star Wars toy line by bestowing it with the prestigious Toy of the Year (T.OT.Y.) Award for Best Activity Toy.

In 1999, Star Wars became the first property to be licensed by the LEGO Group. Since then, many favorite scenes, characters and vehicles from all six Star Wars movies have been translated into popular LEGO sets.

"The line combines the excitement of the Star Wars saga with the familiarity and fun of the LEGO play pattern and became one of the most sought-after toys in 2005. We're especially proud to deliver this honor to our partners at Lucasfilm in honor of the final episode in the Star Wars saga," says Michael Moynihan, senior director of marketing, LEGO Systems.

LEGO Group and Lucasfilm Ltd. recently announced the extension of their partnership on the Star Wars franchise through 2011. Also just announced, a forthcoming sequel to the popular LEGO Star Wars video game, this one set in the era of the original trilogy.