A SECRET venue will become the location of a Regency ball to launch a reality television show.

The programme will ask volunteers to spend three months in a Regency house in Brighton, where they will live the lives of Jane Austen and Lord Byron.

The volunteers will dress, eat and behave as they would have done in the early 19th Century and be filmed for Channel 4.

Programme makers Wall to Wall have refused to reveal the location of the house but say a ball will be held in Brighton to welcome the new recruits.

Channel 4 is looking for single people under 35 to volunteer for the project. Over-35s can also take part by becoming hostesses.

The closing date for entries is April 25. For an application form, log on to www.regencyhouseparty.co.uk