High-flying students in hi-tech computing subjects have notched up first class honours degrees at the University of Wales, Newport.

Among the many students who are celebrating after achieving the top classification in their degrees is Adam Griffiths, who having gained a first in Games Development and Artificial Intelligence, has already set up a company which could provide employment for Wales' talented games designers.

"The computer games industry is one of the biggest in the world yet there are very few companies in Wales making games," said 30- year-old Adam.

"As a result, many people like myself who are gaining degrees in computer game design are having to leave the country in order to find jobs. It seems ridiculous when Newport's University has two computer games development courses producing talented students with lots of potential."

Thomas Emden, who also gained a first class degree in Games Development and Artificial Intelligence, plans to design new computer games for younger children after the success of his graduation project, Fred's Food Adventures', a game about healthy eating.

"It was a bit of a surprise to find I had a first class honours degree but I was really pleased," said 23-year-old Thomas, who comes from Monmouth.

"It's been a great three years and the time has flown past. All the tutors were great, always there if we had any problems. Newport isn't the world's biggest university but that's an advantage because it's a very supportive environment where you meet more people and make lots of friends.

"I hope to do a Masters degree and develop games that have an educational value as well as being entertaining. It's good if children can learn as they play," he said.

Claire Raybould was outnumbered by men on the Business Information Technology course - but beat them all by gaining a first class honours degree.

"I was delighted to learn I had gained a first," said 26-year-old Claire, from Pontypridd, who studied part-time while working as a CAD manager for design consultancy Dalkia in Cardiff.

"Gaining this degree should prove very valuable in my career progression. The course was very good as it covered how IT operates in the real world as well as in business. I now plan to take a year off and study for a Masters degree."

Fellow first class student, Graeme Nisbet had a number of dead end jobs before deciding that he needed to study for a degree in order to increase his career prospects. Now, following a rigorous selection process, he has been chosen from thousands to be one of eight computer experts working on a new programme for supermarket giant Tesco.

"I'm very pleased to have got a first class honours degree - it's what I've been working towards over the last three years," said 30-year old Graeme, who moved to Wales from Edinburgh in 1991.

"The computing degree at Newport is a really good course and all the tutors are very approachable. I'd heard horror stories about lecturers at other universities but at Newport they're great. You can go to them any time.

They're always there for you."

Kevin Woodman studied the Internet Multimedia Technology course after being made redundant from his job in the claims department of an insurance company.

"I'd always been interested in computers and it was a hobby of mine so I thought I'd like to do a degree in it," said Kevin, who has landed job as a programmer with Aardvark Finance in Newport working on developing web-based systems for customer relationship software systems.

"I wouldn't have got the job without the university which arranged for me to do a work placement with the company. I was very proud to gain a first class honours degree. I was one of the first intake on this degree course and had great support from lecturers especially during the final year when it was tough balancing study with a full time job."

Commenting on the high success rate of computing students at Newport Business School, Senior Computing Lecturer Eric Llewellyn said: "These results are wonderful and very well deserved by the students who have all worked so hard."