A HECKINGTON man is hoping for a great reaction to his new invention – an educational board game based on the periodic table.

Keith Dunkley has spent nearly seven years developing Crazy Chemists in the hope of encouraging more youngsters to develop a passion for the sciences.

"It's a way of introducing them to what, certainly as far as I'm concerned, is the exciting world of chemistry," he said.

"The game is aimed at children aged seven years and older, giving them the chance to discover the subject – and science in general – up to four years earlier than they would normally discover it through mainstream education."

Up to six players take turns to move markers around a board based on the periodic table, 'buying' laboratories within a research station.

Opposing players who land on the owned laboratories must answer questions on specific chemical elements before moving on, or paying a fine – similar to the concept behind the Monopoly board game said Keith.

"But it's much more than just that," he said. "And I've included a glossary of terms, to help players understand the more complicated aspects of the table, and suggestions for how they can investigate the sciences further."

Keith, 62, graduated from the University of London in 1968 with a degree in chemistry and physics.

He spent the next 14 years working within the science industry before going on to work in the insurance sector until 2000, when he joined the Bakkavor Group.

He started work on the game in 2002 and received the first batch of the finished product in December.

And he says it has already been well- received by its intended audience.

Keith's wife Juliette runs Fen School in East Heckington, where pupils tried the game out on several occasions, providing Keith with valuable market research.

He said: "The game was very well- received by the children, and on a couple of occasions they spent up to two hours playing it which was brilliant – especially considering the fact most young children of course don't have a the attention span of teenagers and adults, who can play such a game for a long period of time."

Crazy Chemists is available to buy, priced £24.50, from Keith (plus postage costs). Ring (01529) 460966 for more details.