A MOLE may not compete with Lara Croft in terms of prowess, but they both have a place at the Museum of Computing's Santa game challenge.

Museum curator Simon Webb has unearthed some ancient games with a festive theme for Christmas.

One includes Moley Christmas, featuring Monty the mole, on cassette, running on the dated 48k Sinclair Spectrum computer.

Gamers are invited to come along on Saturday and play vintage titles set in snowy landscapes with curious creatures dressed as Santa.

Mr Webb said: "Our Challenge Santa day allows people to try out Christmas-themed games for free.

"The older ones are a bit dated now, but they are cute in their own way."

Even Santa, himself, may remember delivering some of the earlier games, such as Holiday Lemmings to eager children.

The man in red has had a go at the museum's copy of the Wii, which will no doubt top a lot of Christmas lists this year.

A more recent game is Polar Express, which accompanied the film of the same name.

Mr Webb expects teenagers, adults and children to give the games a whirl.

"We are expecting a lot of adults who will bring their children along as an excuse," he said.

"The exhibition charts the history of the computer games console from 1972 to the Nintendo Wii.

"Video games are unrecognisable to what they once were. The change is dramatic."

Players can try the games on a range of systems, which have now been long out staged, including the Sega Dreamcast and Sega Saturn.

Mr Webb also says people are welcome to come and play non-Christmas games on the Wii.

The Atari Pong system, dated 1972, is the oldest video game exhibit owned by the museum.

The boring game features slow moving spheres that can be stopped by thin lines moving up and down the screen.

It has earned the name Pong because it makes that sound.

When it was released, it caused television sets to break, as it was too bright for the screen.

"Pong allowed people to interact with the their television for the first time," said Mr Webb. "People were amazed."

The Wii comes highest in his estimation.

"The Wii is especially good, as you are getting exercise," he said.

Other festive games include: The Snowman, The Official Father Christmas Game and The Nightmare before Christmas.

The vintage Christmas video game Challenge Santa event will take place on Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

The Museum of Computing is based at the University of Bath Oakfield campus in Marlowe Avenue.

For more information telephone 07834 375628.