Carl Wyatt who built the box Kyle Ackerman, right, stayed in Ref: 77664-178/168DAVID Blaine may have had a better view, but at least teenager Kyle Ackerman was popular with the crowds.

The sports-mad 15-year-old endured a weekend stuck in a cramped box 12ft in the air to raise cash for a school rugby tour of New Zealand.

Apart from a mobile phone to use in an emergency, Kyle was cut off from the outside world for 43 hours.

Stuck on top of a scaffolding tower outside Gorse Hill's Swiss Chalet pub, all the keen angler had to keep himself occupied was a stack of fishing magazines.

Crowds watched as he was sealed in at 6pm on Friday by his stepfather Carl Wyatt, a carpenter, who built the box.

Unlike magician David Blaine who spent 44 days above the River Thames in a glass box Kyle had snacks and a duvet and pillow for comfort.

The box had its own toilet, while food was fed through a flap.

Below him, fundraisers set up stalls and fired up a barbecue.

Among those giving moral support was proud mother Jacqueline. She explained how Kyle stepped in at the last minute after another volunteer came down with mumps.

"They were going to have to cancel it, but Kyle said no way I'm going to do it," said the 34-year-old, of School Court, Gorse Hill. "It was a challenge for him, but he's very laid back, which helps."

Emerging from the box at 11am yesterday, the first thing on Kyle's mind was a soak in the bath. "It was pretty hot and sweaty in there," he said.

"But the worst thing was the boredom.

"I could see everyone else below me having fun and I couldn't do anything."

The tour will cost around £40,000 and Kyle's efforts raised around £2,000.

The team is appealing for sponsorship. Call Headlands on 01793 723625.