For anyone trying to remember a new skill, sleeping on it may be a good advice, says a new study.

Scientists carried out an experiment in which sleeping volunteers were played sounds associated with a memorised task.

When they awoke, they performed better in the tests, showing their memories had been reinforced.

The results add to growing evidence that sleep is important to memory processing.

Prior to their naps, the 12 study participants were taught to associate 50 images with random locations on a computer screen. Each image, for instance a shattering wine glass, was paired with a corresponding sound played over a loudspeaker.

After a number of repeated trials the volunteers became skilled at dragging the images to their assigned places. Next, participants were allowed to dose off in a quiet darkened room, and sounds corresponding to 25 of the images were played without them waking up.