In Japan, a cartoon on television triggered fits in nearly 600 children and many were rushed to hospital. The cartoon featured characters called Pocket Monsters and it is a spin-off from a computer game - it is very popular with children. A scene where an explosion filled the screen is thought to have caused the fits. From Tokyo, Juliet Hindell reports:

There are hardly any Japanese children who are not fans of the Pocket Monsters. The characters are stars of a computer game and a television cartoon.

Most parents have until now regarded the Pocket Monsters as harmless fun. But as hundreds of children across the country watched the latest edition on television, they went into convulsions, vomited blood and suffered breathing difficulties.

Nearly 600 were rushed to hospital; most were discharged soon afterwards but about 20 were kept in overnight. The children ranged in age from three to the late teens.

The scene that triggered the fits happened about 20 minutes into the half-hour programme. Suddenly the screen was filled with a bright red explosion followed by a white flash.

Doctors say the symptoms are similar to those which some children experience when they play video games. The Pocket Monsters cartoon has been a big hit for the television station TV Tokyo, but the company said it didn't think the programme contained scenes which were too strong.

The cartoon is based on a computer game where the object is to collect all 150 varieties of Pocket Monsters. As the game progresses, players fight and make friends with the monsters, who hide in woods and caves.