THE last few moments of freedom ticked away - and two brave Hampshire contestants stepped inside a perspex box that will be their home for the next five days.

Southampton University student Lois Perrin and Lee Jackson, from Portsmouth, this morning took up residence in two 2.5sq metre- boxes at Southampton's WestQuay shopping centre.

As part of the David Blaine-style challenge the pair entered their boxes with just a BT phone book, telephone and £1,500. Everything else they need to survive until 10.45am on Saturday they must order by phone.

They will be set hourly tasks by Power FM radio station listeners and face a public vote.