CHILDREN'S cartoon series The Lampies is set to break into the computer market following a global deal with a North-East firm.

Comeleon plc, which recently floated on the stock exchange, has agreed an exclusive worldwide licensing deal with Red Balloo, the production company behind the hit BBC series, to use its distinctive images on computers used by children.

The Lampies, magical street characters who live inside lamp posts, was written by David Bonner from Newcastle, and it has been sold to TV stations in more than 30 countries.

Kevin Murtagh, sales director of Comeleon, based in Tanfield Lea near Stanley, said: "In such a short time the Lampies have made an unbelievable impression among children and show all the signs of becoming an international success story.

"The ability of our imaging process to replicate the full colour graphic effects of the individual Lampie characters provides a perfect match for the creativity used in their formation and provides a major opportunity to extend the success of the brand into other areas."

James Coldwell, director at Red Balloo, said: "The Lampies has been more successful than any of us could have possibly imagined.

"To ensure that it continues to grow we needed to team up with a company that shares our vision to introduce well designed exciting new products.

"Comeleon, like Red Balloo, is a significant player and it is important for the Lampies to be associated with such a successful company."

Until now, computer mice have not featured licensed images to the same extent as some other electronic product sectors - a situation Comeleon is working to rectify.

The e-comeleon process is capable of applying digital photographic quality images on plastic products.

The company is also pursuing licensing and merchandising opportunities linked to other market sectors, including replacement phone covers.

Red Balloo is also currently in discussions with a number of other key manufacturers and toy companies with a view to providing a complementary range of products