[James]

Italy's Big Brother allows voting

Housemates in Italy's version of TV reality show Big Brother have been allowed out of the house to vote in the country's general election.

They were taken to their home towns accompanied by security guards to minimise contact with the public.

Denied TV or newspapers in the house, they were briefed on the parties' manifestos before casting their ballot.

After voting, they returned to the house in Rome's Cinecitta film studios where they have already spent 80 days.

Big Brother, or Grande Fratello in Italy, is broadcast on Canale 5, one of three TV channels owned by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Mediaset company.

Italians have been voting in the second day of the election. Mr Berlusconi is battling to hold off a challenge from his centre-left opponent Romano Prodi.

Contestants involved in two other reality shows, Music Farm and La Fattoria (The Farm), were also allowed out to vote.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4895022.stm