THIS Bolton woman, chosen from 40,000 applicants, was today sealed off from the outside world as a huge TV and internet experiment got underway.

The 28-year-old textile artist is one of 10 contestants whose every move will be filmed as they compete for a prize of £70,000 on Channel Four's Big Brother.

Nichola - the station are refusing to release the surnames of participants - entered the custom-built house they will share in London.

The human guinea pigs will be virtual prisoners while voyeuristic viewers watch every detail of their lives on the internet and TV. There is no escape from the home's 26 cameras and 30 microphones - even in the bathroom. In addition, each participant has a personal microphone which will be on at all times.

Nichola's official biography describes her as "loud and lively" but she will need all her extrovert qualities to cope with life under an intense microscope.

Tattooed, short-haired and with her nose, ears, lips, belly button and tongue all pierced she is predicted to be the livewire of the house.

Similar shows in Holland and Germany have attracted millions of viewers and turned contestants into national figures.

Nichola, who describes her hobbies as clubbing, trapeze swinging and stilt-walking, went through the home's heavy gates yesterday clutching the one suitcase of possessions participants are allowed.

Items like CD players, mobile phones, radios, pen, paper and even calendars are banned.

At stake is a £70,000 prize for the last person left in the house. Each week, members of the household will nominate two of their number to be slung out with viewers making the final decision on who is kicked out.

Eventually there will be only one person left who will claim the prize. Nichola's official biography reveals that if she wins she intends to spend the cash on a studio for her business and tuition fees for circus school.

The first highlights programme will be screened at 9pm on Tuesday with five minute updates at 8pm every night for the first few weeks and half-hour updates at 11pm. Davina McCall will host the programme.

Devotees of the show can already monitor activity in the house on six webcams at channel4.com/bigbrother, review archive footage and chat with other viewers.

Updates on house happenings will even be available on e-mail and WAP mobile phones.

Do you know who Nichola is? Ring the BEN Newsdesk on (01204) 361270 or e-mail lynna@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk