A Brighton team has developed the official video game for the blockbuster remake of The Italian Job.

A group of about 40 employees from Climax Brighton have been busy creating a virtual world based on the film for the last nine months.

The video game, called The Italian Job: LA Heist, has already gone on sale in the United States and is due to be released in the UK on Friday, September 12.

The game is compatible with PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube and features the new-look BMW Mini Cooper.

Games company Eidos Interactive was awarded the licence for the video game by Paramount Pictures in September last year.

Eidos, which created the Lara Croft Tomb Raider series, then approached Climax to develop the game.

Climax game producer Nick Rodriguez said: "Eidos approached us because we have a history of developing driving games and the experience to deliver.

"We are very pleased we have been able to get a high quality deal with two major companies in the form of Eidos Interative and Paramount. This is certainly the most high-profile game we have developed."

Climax, which employs about 120 people at its offices in Western Road, has already won praise for its motorsports game Moto GP.

It is currently working on a Manga-style adventure game called Sudeki, which has already attracted rave reviews, despite not being released until December.

The Italian Job provided a new challenge for the company because it was a city-based race driving game.

Mr Rodriguez said: "It was a new venture for us because our racing games are usually based on race tracks.

"Being able to create a range of city environments for the Minis to race around was a challenge but we are certainly pleased with the end product."

The game's story mode allows players to enact the plot of the film, which stars Mark Wahlberg and Edward Norton.

The racing mode allows one or two players to race around different locations from the film, including Hollywood, Los Angeles and the city's Metro train system.

Eidos executive producer Martin Alltimes said: "We always aim to work with the most-talented developers and Climax certainly fitted the bill.

"They have a great track record in producing high-quality driving games and we are very pleased with the job they have done on The Italian Job."

Climax moved to Brighton three and a half years ago with the goal of establishing the industry's premier vehicle game development house.

It also has offices in LA, Fareham in Hampshire, Nottingham and London.

Climax Brighton's outfit doubled last year and it now occupies three floors of Sheridan House.

If its latest creation proves a success, new jobs may be on the horizon.

The Italian Job film is released on September 19.