CHILDREN devoted to computer games are learning the skills which could earn them a top job when they leave school, it was claimed today.

But youngsters need to be encouraged to get out of their bedrooms and play the right kind of games if their talents are to blossom.

The claims were made by Rawtenstall entrepreneur Sara Pelling, who has set up a cyber gaming company to promote the educational benefits of consoles such as PlayStation and XBox.

Her views have been backed by a Learning Skills & Development Agency (LSDA) report which suggests skills used in gaming can be transferred into other arenas.

It said outstanding game expertise was linked to 'expert' behaviours such as self-monitoring, pattern recognition, problem-solving, decision-making, qualitative thinking and a superior memory.

Today, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce boss Mike Damms agreed -- and said youths competent in using consoles are able to bridge the technological gap in the workplace.

Sara, of of Hargreaves Drive, is training to become a teacher and completed her dissertation on the concept of gaming.

She volunteers at Alder Grange High School, and has three children -- Matthew, 16, Andrew, 14, and Nicole, eight.

She said: "My children would play one their computers upstairs and I didn't have a clue about the games they were playing.

"I am hoping to address these issues by bringing into the public forum a programme of activities looking at the ones that are more controversial so parents know what they are buying their kids."

Her company -- Cybergames -- charges groups and organisations to set up workshops and competitions promoting the benefits of gaming.

The 38-year-old is hosting a competition that will see scores of youngsters competing against one another in a bid to be crowned Rossendale Gaming Champion at Haslingden Sports Centre today.

Mike Damms, chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Industry in the future is going to be highly dependant on people being very comfortable with technology.

"The future of manufacturing is around marketing, design and engineering rather than mass production and that will require well developed technological and design skills. This can be developed in a games context .

"This lady is on the right track. It sounds much more preferable than having kids locked away playing alone. By playing in a competitive group environment it is helping them gain skills that many potential employers would desire."