STUDENTS at Okehampton College are some of the privileged few in Europe being given the opportunity to benefit from a revolutionary computer software system aimed at improving sports skills.

The college is one of just a handful to be chosen to test the innovative programme in a pilot project between Devon County Council and Swiss manufacturer Dartfish.

The software allows students to video their actions across a whole range of sports. They are then played back on a computer screen, whiteboard or even on the wall of the sports hall.

John Farr, head of PE at Okehampton College, said: 'One of the exciting things is from the lap-top computer you can take images of, for example, Linford Christie, and put it side by side of the student's image to compare it.

'One of the other things we are doing in the pilot is to work out where it can be best used. If you're outside and it's wet, it's difficult with a computer so it's obviously easier using it indoors.'

Mr Farr said top athletes in the USA are presently using the new software on a one-to-one basis, but he was hoping the equipment would also be useful for whole class use.

'We're one of only eight schools in the country taking part in the pilot — if it proves as good as it first appears, in the next five to ten years it could revolutionise PE teaching,' he said.

This term, Mr Farr is working with the sixth form and a few selected individuals while he gets to grips with the software.

Once it is used more extensively, he will be providing regular feedback to the manufacturers to help them develop the system further.