AN Andover firm's energy drink has become the driving force behind the smash hit TV series I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

V, a product of Petty, Wood, on the Walworth Industrial Estate, is sponsoring the series which is being screened nightly on ITV prime time until 21 May.

V, which is three years old and originates from New Zealand, is made with guarana and B vitamins and is designed to give the drinker a natural boost. The £1 million advertising campaign aims to attract a target audience of young adults who tune into the show, which sees a group of celebrities attempting to survive in the Australian jungle and attracted 11 million viewers to its first episode.

Petty, Wood, a 200-year-old company, moved to Andover 15 years ago.

It employs 130 people - 80 of them based on site in Livingstone Road.

They are the firm responsible for Walkers Shortbr-ead, Jordans cereals, Baxters, Sacla, Amoy, Pataks and a whole host of other food products.

V is available in supermarkets and garage forecourts in the Andover area.