Fantasy miniatures bring roaring success to UK's Games Workshop

From The Hobbit to Warhammer, world of elves, orcs and ogres have made model-maker a stock market hit

It is usually forbidden for quoted companies to cash in on bloodthirsty conflicts fought by armed mercenaries in distant lands.

But for Kevin Rountree it's just another day at the office. The low-profile accountant, who never gives interviews, runs fantasy figure seller Games Workshop which this week emerged as the sleeper success story of the UK's bombed-out retail industry, thanks to the enduring success of its tabletop game franchise Warhammer.