FORGET the excesses being enacted on your TV screen - you can catch up with the latest Big Brother-style action, complete with evictions, right in the heart of Ryedale.

And just to add an extra special twist, the contestants in this very public event have one major feature in common - they are all hamsters.

The drama is unfolding at Linton's pet shop, in Market Place, Malton, where five-week-old baby 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 furry creatures.

PJ was the first to be "evicted" for nibbling Helen's ears, Craig was turfed out for gnawing the cage, and Penny was thrown out for 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 explained: "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. The hamsters are tame and of various different colours and characters."

Updated: 14:36 Wednesday, June 09, 2004