SOME Big Brother-style contestants are giving the real thing a run for its money.

Fans have flocked to a new version of the show, where the contestants have one major feature in common - they are all hamsters.

The drama is unfolding at Linton's Pet Shop, in Market Place, Malton, North Yorkshire, where 25 five-week-old Syrian hamsters have been named after contestants from the last four shows, and split into boys' and girls' dormitories.

The public decides who leaves the Big Hamster Brother House - by buying the pets.

PJ was the first to be "evicted" for nibbling Helen's ears, Craig was turfed out for gnawing the cage, and Penny left after pinching food rations.

Fans can keep up with the latest eviction news by reading a blackboard outside the store. The housemates' daily tasks include playing with balls and wheels.

Shop assistant Ruth Bielby said: "All the staff were big fans of the last Big Brother, so when we got these baby hamsters we decided to celebrate the start of Big Brother 5 by holding our own competition.

"It looks like the winner is going to be the scabbiest hamster in the shop, because all the nice ones are being bought.

"The least friendly one is Nasty Nick - he lies on his back squeaking and waving his legs in the air. So it looks like we might be stuck with him."