With the imminent release of another Star Wars film, we are coming close to a unique archive of special effects (SFX).

Starting more than ten years ago in the early days of computer-aided SFX technology, each film has taken the genre further into the realm of the unbelievable.

Glorious SFX have made Star Wars the definitive model for the films of the future but, while George Lucas and Steven Speilberg have become role models with titles such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Jaws (1975), Jurassic Park (1993) and the Indiana Jones series (1981 onwards), it may be a while before Chris Columbus, director of Harry Potter, gets the same accolades.

I saw Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone last weekend and, although I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, it was comforting to note many of the effects make Harry Potter so exciting were pioneered by the Star Wars team.

Broomsticks were just another way of presenting those amazing flying motor cycles driven by Darth Vader's white-clad thugs.

So what can we do in Sussex to catch up with Lucas and Spielberg? How can Sussex technology wipe the floor with the best California has to offer?

My thoughts turned to the growing South Coast flight simulator industry. It has been using SFX to create stunning virtual reality rides for years. It pretends its creations are for training people to fly aircraft but we know better. It is all about creating computer games for really big boys.

I know this is true because I heard a story not too long ago about a well-known simulator company (which will remain nameless) that was angling for a helicopter simulator order from the Australian military.

It did everything it could to make the scenery look like Australia - gum trees, billabongs and any number of jolly swagmen but, at the last minute, some bright spark suggested they should include a bunch of kangaroos.

The graphics were no problem but the company did not have any code to make the kangeroos move about so, in a moment of desperation, it snitched a bit of platoon movement code from a handy war game.

The visit went according to plan until the enthusiastic Aussie helicopter pilot swoop-ed down to "buzz" the roos.

He was amazed when the kangaroos broke left and right and shot down the helicopter with a Stinger missile.

The company got the order because the Aussie pilot had a sense of humour - his words on departure were: "Remember, it never pays to muck around with Australian wild-life".

Enough of all that and back to Harry Potter.

Think about the flying sequences as Harry learns to play Quidditch.

A fabulous flight simulator could be developed to give everyone a taste of broomstick flying.

The stomach wrenching turns and heart-stopping drops toward the ground are ideal material for a simulated Harry Potter experience.

What about it chaps? How long before we see a Harry Potter ride that can really make a lad upchuck?