THE man behind the failed bid to save the Vaux Brewery has launched a new venture - making computer games.

Frank Nicholson, who led the bid to buy the famous Sunderland brewery last year, is behind the creation of a Changing Rooms-style computer game to steer children away from car chase games and violent shoot-em-ups.

Frank Nicholson and David Sheppard hatched the idea for The House That YOU Built over a business lunch.

The programme allows children to create and furnish a toy house on-screen in three-dimensional reality. Once designed it can be printed out, cut out, folded and glued to create a 2ft by 2ft by 9ins house.

Mr Nicholson, former managing director of Sunderland's Vaux Breweries, said: "What we recognised was that other than educational packages there had been little entertainment software available for younger children.

"Indeed the games that were widely available tended to be highly competitive sporting or racing-type games or violent shoot-em ups.

"As we researched the idea it became clear that, increasingly, parents, politicians, teachers, church groups and child experts were concerned about these trends.

"Children were missing out on vitally important development stages that come from traditional play."

The House That YOU Built is only available at www.make-believer.com, but is expected to be on sale in shops later this year.