Sixth former Ian Holder is celebrating becoming UK champion at an internet computer game - while his parents recover from huge phone bills.

Ian, 18, is official UK champion at the game Quake Three Arena after winning a final held at the Millennium Dome.

The teenager picked up the top prize of £7,000 and will go on to take part in the world championship in Korea later this year.

Ian, a student at Beacon Community College in Crowborough, started playing the conflict game a year ago and quickly developed a flair for it.

He spends an hour or two every evening on the internet, playing opponents from all over Europe, and three hours a day at weekends.

The good news is that he has already picked up cash prizes and travelled to the States and Sweden to compete in events.

The bad news is that his hobby means his family phone bill regularly tops £500 a quarter because he spends so much time online.

Fortunately his parents, Richard, a doctor, and Adele, a teacher, support Ian's interest and are delighted with his success.

Dr Holder, said: "Our phone bill is larger than most, but Ian has worked at various supermarkets and contributes towards the bill.

"We are very proud of Ian. It is a real achievement to become a UK champion. People often decry computer games and say they are easy, but they are usually people who have never tried to play them.

"Ian has amazingly fast reflexes and the game takes a lot of concentration and good hand to eye co-ordination."

Ian, of Crowborough, who is studying for A levels in geology, film studies and business, said: "I used to play console games, like Super Nintendo, but I didn't really take it seriously until I started playing Quake Three Arena.

"I haven't really decided what I am going to spend my prize on but I might buy a car - and help with the phone bill."