Students looking for a career as 'super croupiers' will be able to learn the tricks of the trade at the UK's first gaming academy.

Blackpool and the Fylde College is running a City and Guilds accredited course to get students up to speed on roulette, blackjack and poker as well as offering training for 'super croupiers' and slot machine engineers.

The college has even built its own training casino to give some 350 students first-hand experience of life on the casino floor. It is due to open its doors on February 22nd.

Colleen McLaughlin, academy manager, said the new training scheme would equip those interested in a career in the industry with all the necessary skills.

She said: "We want our academy to be a one-stop shop with training for all gaming industry requirements under one roof. Students will be working in a 'real life' casino covering every function from the start of play to the close of business."

The project has been backed by gaming company Gala Casinos and has also received funding from the government and the EU.

Chris Clarke, regional operational director for Gala Casinos, said: "Recent and forthcoming legislative change means the industry is changing rapidly. Part of that is educating people to work within the industry which makes our relationship with Blackpool and the Fylde College vital."

Blackpool council is in the running for a license to build a super casino on the city's Golden Mile under the gambling law reforms.