Erin Brockovich set for more challenges

The real-life Erin Brockovich is to begin her new career as America's version of Anneka Rice.

The activist's struggle against a power company became an Oscar-winning film starring Julia Roberts.

She is to present Challenge America with Erin Brockovich, a version of the 1990s BBC show Challenge Anneka.

On Monday Brockovich will be presented with her first challenge when she meets the city's mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, on a morning television show.

The show will be broadcast on December 21 on American network ABC and viewers will be able to see if the 41-year-old former legal assistant has completed the mystery challenge, being called the Miracle in Manhattan by show bosses.

Television bosses are keeping the challenge secret but have said it is a rebuilding project in Manhattan.

Rice, 43, is co-executive producer of the new show, which is being produced by British company Mentorn.

She said: "We are thrilled that Erin is doing the programme for America.

"It needed a host who is immediately identifiable with getting things done and provoking a reaction and no one could be better than Erin for that."

Brockovich's true life tale of her legal battle to win a £200m settlement from Pacific Gas and Electric Company for polluting water supplies in California.