Two women have been given every girls' dream - to live inside a vast shopping centre, surrounded by lots of clothes shops.

But Ruth Harrison and Jenny Ryan, both from Horwich, will not be able to get their hands on any goodies too easily. For they will be staying inside a two-and-a-half square metre box for the next five days.

The duo will pit their wits against each other as they aim to complete three tasks per day armed with just a mobile phone, toiletries and a BT directory.

Shoppers stopped and stared as the pair, who despite living in Horwich did not know each other before the stunt, embarked on the charity competition at the Arndale Centre, Manchester, Tuesday morning.

They will have to negotiate for essential items such as a bed, food and drink, which will test their resourcefulness and persuasiveness.

The competition has been organised by BT and radio station Century FM to mark the launch of the new BT phone book.

People will be able to vote for their favourite contestant by text message with the winner due to be announced on Saturday morning.

Miss Harrison, aged 24, said: "I love doing things that people don't usually do, my friends think I'm crazy for living in a box but it's something that not many people would have done."

Miss Ryan, aged 22, who has just graduated from Leeds University with a degree in law, said: "It seemed like so much fun and it's all in a good cause."

They will also donate the items which they have bought to charity 21st Century Kids. The pair will be on air daily on Century FM where listeners can monitor their progress. To vote for the winner text the word Ruth or Jenny to 81054.