The next generation of children's toys is being pioneered in Sussex.

A team of scientists at Sussex University's Interact Lab has been awarded a grant of about £1million to develop interactive toys embedded with digital technology.

Computer design engineer Yvonne Rogers and child psychologist Dr Mike Scaife head the team.

Dr Rogers said: "The idea is to try to move away from kids sitting in front of a computer monitor towards mobile interaction, which allows them to learn in different environments.

We want the toys we are working on to be used both indoors and outdoors."

Signalling chips, no larger than a finger nail, have been built into toys and clothes to add mobile communication technology to a child's play environment.

Dr Rogers said: "We have been working on a jacket with a computer network inside which could download information relevant to the activity the child is doing and we have all the traditional constraints of developing something sturdy enough to stand up to the robust demands of a child at play."

The technology has also been used to adapt a Japanese-style shadow play. Now the scientists are weeks away from launching their prototypes and have begun looking for children aged six to ten to test the toys.

Dr Scaife said: "We need children to help us progress with our designs - it's the only way of finding out if we are on target."

Funding for the scheme has come from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Sussex is one of eight universities collaborating on a six-year research project into how digital devices can be put to use at home, work or play.

Anyone interested in volunteering a child to take part in the project should contact Jacky Maggs on 01273 678769.