From its early beginnings as a lumbering great baby carriage promenaded by a uniformed nanny, to the a super sleek designer buggy of today, the pram has evolved. While it still performs the same function of transporting one, or more, infants, it is now an item of convenience, fashion, status, fitness and, increasingly, high technology.

Having shrunk to the telescopic �40 stroller of the late 1990s,

buggies became bigger and unwieldy, and then more compact, intricate and expensive. The new models may have built-in grocery bags, removable seats, parasols or meal trays and can cost as much as a used car.

At Kind + Jugend, the world's largest trade fair for children's products, which takes place in September each year in Cologne, the key word, at the most recent show, was innovation with a leaning towards the tailored and bespoke, to meet a wide range of parental requirements in terms of design, colour and technology.

The fair hosts an innovation award and the winner in the World Of Moving Baby category was the Kudu pushchair from Spanish manufacturer PLAY SA. The jury liked the simple manageability of the pram, which consists of two parts which can be connected quickly and easily, and its minimalistic and eye-catching design.

Parents are looking for user-friendliness and easy handling. Also, innovative folding

mechanisms, compactness, light and functional frames and the option of changing wheels

depending on where the buggy is used. Similarly, new materials with UV protection and handy

accessories are part of the mix along with trendy colour combinations.

From traditional pushchairs to high tech travel systems and sporty joggers, one of the more intriguing designs is the electronic folding 4Moms Origami pushchair with a battery in the frame and a walking- powered generator and USB port to charge cellphones and iPods, with an LCD kilometre counter and headlights for the dark.

While manufacturers have traditionally produced pushchairs for urban or off-road use, parents are increasingly looking for buggies which are not restricted to any

surface by dint of their wheels. Baby Jogger's urban City Mini and City Mini GT have more rugged tyres and the Versa GT model has air tyres.

Tony Roe, principal at Tony Roe Solicitors in Theale, and his partner Ania did extensive research before selecting a stroller from John Lewis, Reading, for baby Edwin, who is now three months. Tony said: "We chose an Uppababy Vista (�629.95) which was Which? recommended and we swear by it. It is a travel system and you have to buy the car seat separately. It is easy to fold up the frame essentially one-handed, and the wheels are detachable. Unlike models marketed as off road, ours has solid tyres. Inflatable tyres are prone to punctures. With the front wheels locked, it will pretty much go anywhere that off road models will go. Moreover, with four wheels instead of three it is inherently more stable."

Technology does not come cheap and some of the new upmarket models cost more than �1,000 - and don't the thieves know it!

Among the most stolen buggies are Bugaboos, Maclaren, Graco, Silver Cross and Chicco. According to police figures, a quarter of buggies were taken from porches or outbuildings, a fifth from car parks and a similar number from cafes, restaurants and pubs. According to LV home insurance 340,000

parents with a child under five years have lost a buggy to theft.