DITCH the Xbox, forget the Wii and dump the PlayStation... Traditional board games are making it big in Huddersfield.

Patriot Games, a shop where board gamers go head-to-head in real-life battles, is expanding.

The shop was on Wood Street, but has outgrown its base and has now moved to bigger premises in Byram Street.

According to 27-year-old manager Stephen Keenan, traditional board and card games are not yesterday’s pastimes.

Twenty or 30 gamers regularly pack out tables at Patriot Games meaning bigger premises were needed.

“We were sold out most of the time,” said Stephen. “Traditional games are increasing in popularity.”

“All we hear about these days are computer games, video machines and online games, but for many nothing beats going eyeball to eyeball with your opponent.

“There’s nothing like sitting across from another person.

“It’s that human contact that people miss, talking and interacting with someone rather than staring at a computer screen.

“Pretty much everyone who comes in to try our gaming tables comes back. We have a good crowd who share the same interests and hobbies. We have a very welcoming group.”

Players are aged between nine and 60-something and anyone can have a go. All the popular games are in the store’s library. These include Food Fight, Resident Evil, Ascension, Penny Arcade and even Scrabble.

For the hardened gamers, the shop hosts local and national competitions with cash prizes. Another spin off is that traditional board games aid learning and understanding.

“It helps literacy and numeracy,” said Stephen. “I’m dyslexic myself and I find that following the rules helps my reading.”

Patriot Games can be contacted on 01484 511019.