Estate agent Alan Dodd has become so obsessed with a new board game he has even written a song about it.

Alan was given Cranium two months ago, on his 26th birthday, and has been playing non-stop ever since.

Cranium has smashed records for board game sales in the United States since its launch two years ago. Hollywood superstar Julia Roberts is among the growing band of self-confessed "Craniacs".

It is now gaining popularity on this side of the Atlantic and Alan, of Seven Dials, Brighton, said he hoped his song would boost its popularity further.

Alan said: "At first I thought it was just another board game. But once I started playing it over the Easter holiday I just got so into it.

"When my friends come round, I turn off the television and get it out straight away. I used to play with my Nintendo but I'm now playing Cranium instead.

"I started playing with my friends in the pub on Saturday and got so engrossed we missed the FA Cup final. I love the game so much I thought it was only right to sing about it in order to spread the word of Cranium."

His ode to the game is called Craniac and was put together on his cousin's computer. Alan has already started touting his song around record labels and hopes it could be the surprise smash of the summer.

He said: "I think once the right people hear my tune I'll get a record deal.

"Hopefully the song will be this year's singalong summer anthem and everyone will have heard of Cranium. Everyone should play it."

After he told the makers of Cranium he had written a song, they sent him a special helmet, which he now wears every time he plays.

The game itself is said to be a cross between Pictionary, charades and Trivial Pursuit.

Alan said: "It stretches your brain a lot and is outrageous fun. It brings friends and family together."

In the song, which has a catchy Euro-pop style beat the Vengaboys would be proud of, Alan admits his addiction to the game.

The chorus reads: "I'm a Craniac, I'm a self-confessed brain maniac. Show me what you can do, And I'll make a Craniac of you."

While Benny and Bjorn from Abba wrote an entire musical based on chess, few other games have inspired people to burst into song.

Richard Tait, who conceived the idea of Cranium, said: "We are delighted Alan has decided to pay homage in this rather unusual way. Alan has shown himself to be a true Craniac."