IT'S a bizarre obsession that has cost fashion student Emma Caple FOUR boyfriends - but her 50 electronic pets are the big love of her life.

The 23-year-old's passion for the Japanese Tamagotchi toys has not only ended relationships but also made meeting men difficult and even driven boyfriends to hiding the toys out of jealousy.

But for Emma, a fashion student at Winchester School of Art, it's a price worth paying. She says she prefers them to guys because "they don't argue with you, or answer back".

Emma, from Southampton, freely admits that many men she meets find her "completely nuts" when she tells them about her collection of the small Japanese toys.

Tamagotchi's are small virtual pets which started off as a toy fad in the mid-90s. Since the first simple Tamagotchis appeared on the market, they have been developed so they can now grow up, and have electronic, virtual babies.

Emma admits that past boy-friends have seen Tama-gotchis as competition: "I think boyfriends are a bit mean to them, they've tried to hide them before."

Emma says Tamagotchis are not always a negative aspect of her relationships, and can be used to judge a man's personality.

"In a way it makes me a bit more interesting and I think that's a positive. It definitely gives me something to start a conversation with because it's quirky. I also use it to see what kind of person they are.

"I would be put off if a guy told me he hated Tamagotchis because that's so narrow-minded. My ideal man has to be quirky and different and accept my obsession"

Emma, who started collecting Tamagotchis when she was 13, has "well over 50" of them, and estimates that she has spent hundreds on her hobby.

She now lives with her boyfriend Dan, who she says is tolerant of her passion.

"We live together, he's accepting of it but sometimes he gets a bit jealous. But he's generally tolerant, and sees the fun side of it, plus he has his own hobbies so he understands that I do too."

Tamagotchis have even helped Emma through the hazards of dating.

She said: "I've been on boring dates where I've been fiddling with them under the table at restaurants, or popping to the loo to check on them and spending ages in there."

Emma agrees that men have felt intimidated, and even neglected because of her devotion to the electronic pets. She said; "Boys are always attention seeking and feeling left out."

"I've had boyfriends say it's the Tamagotchi or me, but no one should have to give up anything they love for someone. Guys that can't deal with it are just childish."

However, Emma does admit that this has made her wary of telling men about her hobby.

"When I met Dan I was quite shy about it, because I'd had bad experiences - like getting dumped because of them."

There are Tamaagotchi men with the same obsession but, according to Emma "they're really geeky".

She adds: "I kind of like being the only one with a quirky habit, and I think a Tama boy would get in the way, because we'd just be arguing over who had the best pets."

Unlike the new, sophisticated Tamagotchis, Emma cannot see herself having babies.

She said: "I prefer them to kids - at least Tamagotchis sleep all the way through the night."