best 'cheap' telescope for beginners. What to look for?

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I was thinking about buying 8yo DS a telescope for Xmas. I know they're not cheap but am hoping that something around the £70/£80 mark will be ok. Jessops have some in store so I'll go and have play with them and see what they say.

Anything to avoid or look for? I haven't a clue where to start .

My BIL is a professional astronomer.

This is the one he recommended we buy our daughter at a similar age: Infinity 76P Telescope

It doesn't look like a traditional telescope - more like a cute blue penguin. But it is very clear, hard to break and easy for a child to set up. The moon looks awesome on a clear night!

(Also cheaper than your budget, so you could get a star-gazing book etc to go with it).

This one is only £15 and has had some great reviews: telescope.

The Skywatcher Heritage 100p or Flexitube 130p are great proper scopes. They retail for £90-£130 but you won't need to upgrade quickly if he takes to it. Google 'First light Optics' who are a really great online retailer and give them a call, they're really helpful. Whereabouts are you, I might be able to recommend a shop if you want to see them in the flesh so to speak?

Thanks everyone. I'll have a look at them tomorrow on the laptop.

code I'm in Hampshire.