Bucking a growing trend for high-profile figures to knock videogames in the media, Cabinet office Minister Tom Watson has told the Mirror that he is, broadly-speaking, happy to see kids playing videogames.

Watson, in charge of new technology initiatives in the British government, even made erudite comparisons between games and art.

"Basically, I think playing games is a good thing. I’d rather my boy be playing on his than passively watching telly," Watson offered.

"Most games are educational. They make you think, focus, challenge and change - 500 years ago a medium that did this would be called art."

Of course, the child obesity issue remains highly pertinent in the UK; perhaps explaining why Watson chose the Wii over the other two, less 'active' consoles.

By Luke Guttridge