Stymates star in 'Pig Brother'

The pigs will be living in a sty at a secret location

Five porkers are preparing for a contest in front of the cameras designed to rival Channel Four's television hit, Big Brother.

They will be filmed round the clock as they sleep, eat and play in the pond.

People who watch them over the internet will then be able to vote one pig out each week.

The contest has been organised by Somerset farmer Richard Counsell to help raise money for families affected by foot-and-mouth disease.

They will be filmed day and night

The antics of the pigs called Widdecombe, Blair, Brown, Beckett and Portillo are expected to raise thousands of pounds when the event starts in September.

The "stymates" will be staying at a secret location in north Somerset.

The bookmaker William Hill has started laying odds on the outcome, with porker Blair the current favourite and Portillo the rank outsider.

Unlike their Big Brother rivals, Dean, Helen, Brian and Elizabeth, the pigs will have no say in who should leave.

Pigs 'safe'

Mr Counsell, 25, has pledged that none of the pigs voted out will end up on a butcher's slab.

He says "Pig Brother" will make 20p a call during the voting.

The money will go to the Farmers In Crisis fund.

The current odds supplied by William Hill are: Blair 2/1; Widdecombe and Brown at 3/1; Beckett at 4/1 and Portillo 5/1.