WHEN a Hampshire family volunteered to put up Coronation Street star Bruce Jones - aka Les Battersby - for a new TV series they thought the best way to welcome him into their family was with a good old fish and chip picnic.

Andy and Estelle Szasz and two of their sons, Daniel, 11, and Charlie, 8, treated Bruce to the al fresco meal after being picked to take part in Granada's Celebrities Under Pressure. The new programme, hosted by Melanie Sykes, has seen families from across the UK putting up a celebrity for three days while they learn a new challenge.

After three days' practice the celebrity returns to the studio and must perform their challenge on the programme to win the family prizes.

Bruce's challenge during his stay with the Szasz family, of Kathleen Road, Sholing, in Southampton, was a tough darts tester, where he had to practise hitting every number on the board within two minutes.

Estelle, 36, said: "I was pleased when Bruce turned up and he was as nervous as we were. People don't realise that just because you're a celebrity doesn't mean you don't get nervous. We didn't know what celebrity we were going to get. But we all got on and it wasn't awkward.

"He came down during the heat wave in August so we sat out in the garden at night chatting.

"He loved the fish and chip picnic we had in Royal Victoria Country Park but I think he was shocked by how many people were there doing the same thing."

Although Bruce's darts challenge was tough, he enjoyed his fleeting stay in Southampton with the Szasz family. He said: "Andrew, Estelle and the kids were absolutely brilliant. They took me for a fish and chip picnic. I've never seen anything like it in my life. here were all these people in a park eating fish and chips complete with bread and butter, brown sauce and ketchup - unbelievable."

Bruce admits the challenge was hard, adding "I have been thinking and worrying about the challenge ever since I left the family's home in Southampton. I've got on brilliantly with them and just want to win some great prizes for them."

The programme featuring the Szasz family will be shown tonight on ITV at 6pm.