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All the fun of the building-site without any of the filth is the attraction of JCB Digger, by Acornsoft in conjunction with the manufacturers of the famous earth-moving machine.

The game has certain elements which will be familiar to those who have played Space Panic or Pac-Man. In your role of fun-loving navvy you have to dig holes in which to trap the Meanies roaming your island paradise.

These monsters seem to have come from Acornsoft's central casting department. They're just bouncing blobs with eyes and mouths.

If you don't get them, they will eject you from the cab and drive off with your digger.

If digging holes is not to your taste then an alternative method of extermination is to scoop the Meanies up in the shovel and deposit them in the sea surrounding the island.

Bonuses can be scored by clearing the island of patches of grass, swamp or rock with the shovel. However, this must be done with care as these areas provide protection; lower forms of Meanie life cannot cross them.

As you progress through the levels - with different colours indicating increased nastiness the Meanies become more adventurous and learn to cross these areas.

JCB Digger is a nice idea but isn't executed with the sophistication we have come to expect from Acornsoft. The monsters are too familiar, the scrolling is far from smooth and there is an unpleasant flicker to the graphics.