Big Brother on watch in the office

Call centre staff will be locked away from other workers

Staff at a south Wales office are set to pay homage to TV phenomenon Big Brother - by staging their own version of the competition in the workplace.

Sixteen workers from the 118UK directory enquiries call centre in Cardiff are moving to an isolated office to work without speaking to any of the other 315 staff in the week-long adaptation.

Throughout the week, the group will be set tasks including writing a poem about the company, performing a conga around the office and holding a sleep-over.

Helen Adams from Cwmbran lives in the Big Brother house

Just like in the television show, at 1500 BST each day, the workers will be called to speak to "Big Brother" - alias call centre director Ireen Lock - and asked to make their eviction nominations.

Other employees will make the final vote for eviction using the company intranet.

On Monday, the workmates will evict four colleagues, followed by three each day until just three members of staff are left on Friday.

The winner of the competition will win two tickets and an all-expenses-paid trip to an eviction night on the real Big Brother show.

Organiser Francis Hudd, 23, a team leader at the centre, said: "The idea has really taken off.

"It is aimed at boosting morale within the company and having some fun.

"The contestants will still be working and answering calls throughout the day, but the only social communication they will have will be with each other."