Noddy in virtual toyland

Noddy: Another new lease of life for the boy with a bell on his hat

Children's favourite Noddy is moving into the electronic age - with the release of a new CD-Rom bringing him and Big Ears to life on computer screens.

British company Absolute Studios has created an electronic Toyland and computerised versions of Enid Blyton's characters, which have been loved by children for decades.

The tiny company expanded its staff from three to 12 when it won the contract from the BBC to create the CD-Rom.

With Noddy now becoming a success around the world, the company is now preparing to take produce versions in other European languages.

Technical director Bobby Farmer said: "It's based around five different adventures, each like an episode of the television series.

"The idea is to put together education parts, game parts and entertainment parts so that children learn from it and are kept interested.

"It's important that it looks the same as Noddy on television, which means the standards of art and programming are very high."

The CD-Rom is another new lease of life for Noddy.

Specially-made episodes of his adventures have recently become a success in the United States, gaining more viewers than home-grown favourite Sesame Street.

The new versions feature Noddy with a Canadian accent and real-life child friends.