WATCHING kids play video games fascinates me. Their hand-eye co-ordination is something to behold.

I have never been any good with the new-fangled hi-tech games. I couldn't even cope with Space Invaders.

The love of my pub-game life was those ping pong games with bats on a screen - and I was also a pinball wizard in the '60s.

There was a Chinese Chequers machine in Leigh's King Street bowling alley that I gave some stick.

Murphy's Law always struck though. The only time I clocked up loads of free games was when I had to dash off for the last bus.

I'd love a working machine now, of either kind, if anyone knows where there's one hidden away and unloved.