NEWS that the makers of Big Brother are hoping to use a north Wiltshire farm for a celebrity reality television show, has been met with a mixture of surprise and amusement by the farming community.

Endemol, the television company which makes Big Brother and other such shows as Britain's Most Virile Men, is currently scouting for a suitable farm to host a gaggle of inexperienced celebrities, all giving up their jet-set lifestyles to tackle everyday farm life.

It has not yet been revealed which stars would be swapping their Manolo Blaniks for a Massey Ferguson, but previous stars seen on reality shows have included glamour model Jordan and ex-Sex Pistols star Johnny Rotten.

The idea of the new series would be to set the celebrities tasks, ranging from feeding and milking cows, to mucking out the pig sties.

But dairy farmer Nancy Bryant of Mile Elm Farm, said that pampered contestants would be shocked by the hardship of the farming way of life.

"I think many people are very naive about what farming really involves.

"You can't just stay in if it's cold, or dark, or you have flu," she said.

"Prissy, city people would find it a real eye-opener.

"It's tough and hard work and much of the time you're too tired at the end of the day to do anything but fall into bed.

"The women will also realise that there doesn't seem to be much point in putting on make-up when you're out at 4.30am in the rain or snow with only a cow to look at," she added.

"And there are mice, rats and maggots, as well as all the mud and dirt, which you can never escape.

"I would be very interested to see it though," she added.

"I think it will be very interesting, depending on which celebrities they invite seeing a really girly woman trying to cope would be funny.

"I think it will also be good to let people see what farmers actually face.

"Among the farming community it will probably provoke much mirth and could become a real talking point at market."

A number of farmers and vets, including Fran Baird of the George Veterinary Group in Malmesbury, have already been approached to take part as experts in the show, and filming is expected to start next month, with the programme being broadcast on Channel Five in the autumn.

Mr Baird is no stranger to TV. He tranquilised the infamous pigs, the Tamworth Two, after they escaped from a slaughterhouse and went on the run in Malmesbury in January 1998.

The story was seen across the world and Mr Baird admitted he had some fun, but he said he wasn't sure whether he would be getting involved with this latest television project.

Endemol confirmed it has been looking for a farm location in north Wiltshire but would not comment on which stars would be on the show.