Eden contestants braced for outback battle

The first six contestants on a new reality TV show were today preparing to survive three months in a snake-infested rainforest.

Eden is set deep in the Australian outback where the chosen group must form a community and learn to cope with the harsh environment.

Unlike other reality shows, the viewers get to control every aspect of the programme - from what the contestants eat to how they live.

At the end of the Channel 4 series, viewers will be able to vote on which inhabitant wins the £10,000 prize.

Last night, three female and three male contestants were picked from a shortlist of 12 via audience vote to travel to Eden.

They immediately set off for Australia where they will face a gruelling 24-hour trek through dense jungle to get to the community.

A survival expert will accompany them on the trek and instruct them on the essentials - from recognising poisonous snakes to slaughtering animals.

The New South Wales location has stunning waterfalls and plunge pools but the inhabitants must also brave leeches and spiders that bite.

During the series, another contestant will join the community each week, again voted for by viewers from a shortlist of three.

The three women chosen were Cliona, a 25-year-old part-time teacher from Cork in Ireland; Lily, 22, a personal assistant from Greenwich, south-east London; and Beckie C, 21, an events organiser from Clapham, south London.

They were joined by John P, 20, a part-time shop assistant from Sheffield; Westley, 18, from Ilford, Essex; and Rav, a 24-year-old police officer from east London.

As in the Channel 4 series Shipwrecked, the inhabitants must build a camp and each week nominate a group leader.

They are given basic provisions, plus a vegetable patch and animals for food, but anything else they need must be granted by the viewers.

In an attempt to stir up rivalry within the group, the leader - who can nominate other members for eviction - will get a luxurious cabin complete with double bed and a phone call home.

Eden, presented by Vernon Kay, will be on Channel 4 at 6pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There will be an omnibus edition on E4 on Saturdays at 7pm.