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Playing this game really is like sticking your head in the lion's mouth. Or, at least, it would be, if the graphics were a little better.

This is a climbing game. There are five levels and each has four lions on it. The lions are not moving, but they just sit there with their mouths open.

You are Ernie, the lion tamer, and, as the cassette inlay says, you just can't help sticking your neck out. You have agreed to take part in a world record attempt and your job is to stick your head in all those lions' mouths.

If all goes well, then you'll get a TV special with Roy Castle. If it doesn't, then you've a good chance of losing your head. Literally.

You have to walk along the platforms in order and, as you pass each lion, so you will automatically stick your head between its jaws. You can only hope that the animal isn't feeling hungry just at that moment. If it is, then it will close its mouth while your head is inside and you lose a life.

If you're lucky, or you have better timing than I had, you'll be able to get through all twenty lions on the screen.

As you progress through the game, you'll find objects on the screen which are worth extra points.

If you thought that this world record attempt was dangerous; then you'd be right. But if you thought that was all there was to do, then you've made a big mistake.

As well as the lions, there are also other small animals roaming the screen. On the easy levels, there are rats which scamper along the floors and must be jumped over if you wish to stay alive. I tried to feed the rats to the lions, but the game wouldn't let me! Unlike the lions, the rats are very lifelike.

There are six levels in all. On the harder ones are extra creatures to dodge, including creepy crawlies which follow the rats. There are also spiders which drop down from the top of the screen and must also be avoided.

You don't get a fixed number of points for each lion whose teeth you manage to examine. Instead, a bonus ticks away at the bottom of the screen, and when you have completed the level, you will get however many points remain on the counter. You can pick up extras, though, by collecting the trinkets which are scattered on the screen.

This is not one of the better games which I've seen for the BBC. The lions are not very well drawn and certainly don't live up to the claims of the inlay card which describes the animated graphics as astounding.

I became bored after playing only for a short time, so I can't recommend that you actually buy this game. But if you really want to try it for yourself, then you'll find a copy at your local dealer.