A new mobile app craze is sweeping the world and St Albans is no exception – even though the game hasn’t been officially released in the UK yet.

Pokémon Go uses augmented reality software to superimpose the collectable creatures from Japanese cartoon, Pokémon, onto the real world.

How it works

Basically, the app uses your camera and GPS to place virtual reality Pokemon in the real world around. You then have to collect them by throwing your Pokeball at them. Then you train them, and fight other players with them.

You can find them by walking around your area, and players are tasked with training, trading and fighting other Pokémon.

The game also includes 'Pokéstops' where items can be picked up, as well as Pokémon 'gyms' where your collected creatures can be trained up to fight.

Pokéstops are usually located at popular meeting places, tourist attractions or landmarks.

You can also use 'lures' to draw pokemon (and other players) to where you are.

Because the best way to find new Pokemon is to walk around looking for them (your phone will buzz when you're near one), the game has been credited with getting a lot of young people out and about.

Players have been known to spend hours walking around their town looking for them.

It's sent Nintendo's share price soaring

The company's shares have surged after Pokemon GO shot to the top of the iTunes chart.

But it's also had some adverse publicity

In America, some teenagers were arrested after apparently using lures to draw players to their location in order to rob them.

One girl playing the game found a dead body, and a man whose house used to be a church has had hundreds of players sitting in the street outside because it's marked in the app as a gym.

It also needs your mobile data to work, and the app's permissions include giving itself access to your entire Google account, including the ability to read your gmail. It knows where you go, when, for how long, and who else is there.

If that's doesn't put you off, you can't play it yet officially, but:

The game’s UK launch has been put back until developers, Nintendo, Niantic and the Pokémon Company can be sure the online servers which distribute the free-to-play game won’t crash under demand.

So if you just can’t wait to get collecting, then follow these steps to get Pokémon ​Go on your iPhone now:-

Log out of your current Apple ID on your iPhone. The fastest way is to open the App Store, click the Featured tab, scroll right to the bottom, tap your Apple ID and hit ‘Sign out’.

Go to Settings > General > Language & Region and change the region to the US, Australia or New Zealand.

Download any free app and you’ll be prompted to create a new Apple ID. Do so, and select ‘None’ in the billing menu. Add any US/Australia/NZ-based address.

Try searching for Pokémon GO again and it should now be there and ready to install.

We want to hear from you if you are playing. Comment below or email charlotte.ikonen@london.newsquest.co.uk.