Anne-Marie Philip went to huge lengths to give her best friend the chance of romance.

The 17-year-old went on a politician's campaign trail, tackled an assault course and dressed up as a fairy godmother to get Anthony Watson a date.

But Anthony, also 17, had no idea what Anne-Marie was up to as she searched the streets of Brighton for the right girl as part of the television series Date My Mate.

After an audition, Anne-Marie, of Redhill Drive, Withdean, was invited to take part in the show, to be screened on Thursday next week on satellite channel Trouble.

The Cardinal Newman sixth-former was asked if she had a friend who would go on a blind date and chose unsuspecting Anthony, with whom she works at Barratts shoe shop in Churchill Square.

Accompanied by presenter Izzie Knolles, Anne-Marie had to undergo a string of embarrassing tasks to find Anthony the perfect girl.

First she had to carry out some research by interviewing his friends and rummaging though his bedroom.

Then, armed with a life-size cardboard cut-out of the 6ft tall half-Greek Varndean College student, she set out on her girl-hunt.

Dressed as a politician, Anne-Marie toured Brighton, calling on people to vote for Anthony, "the love president".

She then dressed as Tomb Raider's Lara Croft to take on an assault course in Hove Gardens.

The date crusader ran through tyres, scrambled under nets and smashed through a wall of boxes on a tricycle to draw attention to her cause.

In the evening Anne-Marie was transformed into a fairy godmother and went in search of the Cinderella who would fit into a trainer.

Anne-Marie, who carried around the cardboard cut-out all day, said: "I did feel extremely stupid.

"We went into The Lanes and lots of people said: 'I know that boy'."

After interviews, Anne-Marie eventually chose 16-year-old Natalie Jolie from Balcombe, as Anthony's date.

Anne-Marie said: "I was looking for someone who was attractive and had a really good personality.

"She was lovely. We asked her to do a lap dance with the cardboard cut-out.

"Most people were embarrassed but she went for it ."

The next day a bewildered Anthony opened his door in his boxer shorts to presenter Izzie who had arrived to break the news of his date and role in the television programme.

Anthony, who lives in Holton Hill, Woodingdean, said: "I was shocked. I did not know what to say."

Anthony and Natalie's sizzling date was to walk on hot coals and have a meal.

Anthony, who said he found Natalie very attractive, does not believe romance is on the horizon.

He said: "We did get on quite well. I do not see it going any further but I would like to be friends."

Natalie, 16, who goes to Burgess Hill School for Girls, agreed.

She said: "He was a really nice guy but not what I would usually go for.

"I do not think anything will happen more than friendship but it was good fun."