Lego to shed 1,200 jobs worldwide

NEW YORK -- Lego Group, whose iconic plastic building blocks have entertained millions of children for more than 70 years, said yesterday it will shed 1,200 of its worldwide jobs to remold itself in an era when kids prefer playing with electronic gadgets.

The Denmark company, which is one of the last to produce toys in the United States, plans to close its US manufacturing plant and lay off 300 people there in early 2007.

About 900 of its employees in Denmark also will be sacked over the next three years.