A computer games developer and publisher has stepped in to save the jobs of 30 workers at a rival firm.

Brothers Jason and Chris Kingsley, who run Oxford-based Rebellion, have taken on the staff of Ignition Banbury, formerly Awesome Developments, after they were told they were to lose their jobs.

Rebellion's chief executive and creative director, Jason Kingsley, said: "Ignition had 30 very talented individuals and we heard they had been made redundant.

"The same day, I did a deal with Ignition and arranged to take them all on. I'm really pleased to be able to offer jobs to good people - they wanted to stay as a team and we have given them the chance to do that."

Some of the group have already moved to Rebellion's city centre base, in Brewer Street, and the rest will follow shortly.

With 140 people squeezed into the cramped studios, it has meant Rebellion plans to move to bigger premises but Mr Kingsley is determined to stay in the city.

He added: "We need a lot of space and we're looking at different locations, but we're definitely staying in the city, as we like the creative buzz.

"Everybody lives close to work and either walks or cycles, which is good for the environment."

This is the latest move in the rapid development of Rebellion, which is best known for publishing cult science fiction comic 2000AD, featuring legendary law enforcer Judge Dredd, as well as developing a host of console games for big names in the business, including Sega and Nintendo.

The company acquired both Tomb Raider developer Core Design and Strangelight Studios, the team behind Starship Troopers, last year.

It is currently working on new titles for Sony's new Playstation 3, launched last week, as well as developing a range of science fiction books under the trade name Abaddon.

Rebellion was started by the Kingsleys in 1992 in the basement of their student house, when they were at Oxford University.

The company now employs 280 people, having more than trebled in size in the last five years, opening studios in Derby and Runcorn.