ARMED with placards - and campaigning in hair rollers - a Worcester street has gone Big Brother barmy.

Just hours before the £70,000 winner of the Channel 4 game show is revealed, and a week after Upton-upon-Severn toff Tim was kicked out, the battle of Cranham Drive has reached fever pitch.

The Big Brother row kicked off when Jane, a woman known in Warndon as "The Caretaker", plastered a "Vote for Jade" poster in Home and Garden's shop window.

Not to be outdone, crimpers in nearby Millennium Hair produced a rival sign - supporting sporty contestant Kate.

Since then, their week-long feud has snowballed and now two rival camps have sprung on the estate.

But "The Caretaker" has vowed to sweep away salon owner Wendy Groves' campaign, warning: "I'm watching you".

Chanting songs of support and parading with placards are just some of the antics which have spilled on to the streets to persuade passing shoppers to vote.

The battle to drum up support exploded yesterday when the rival factions squared up in the street and even began defacing each other's posters.

"We're asking shoppers to vote for Jade," said "The Caretaker".

"She's a council estate girl like us, her dad's in prison and she's looked after her mum since she was 16.

"She needs a break - give Jade the money."

But Wendy Groves insisted classy Kate was the girl to vote for.

"Kate is great fun and good entertainment," she said.

"We've had a right laugh during this voting battle.

"We've got the kids to join in to try and persuade shoppers to vote for Kate. It's good fun and it stops them getting into trouble."

Ten people were chanting support around the shops yesterday, with one Spar worker dubbing the campaigners "completely bonkers".

Passing shoppers tried to shout their support for other contestants, Essex model Alex and fireman Jonny, but their cries were soon drowned out with boos as the good-natured antics continued.

Kate emerged as the bookies' favourite today, with Jade and Alex close behind. Jonny trailed last.

Four will become three in the first of tonight's special Channel 4 editions at 8.30pm.

The winner will be announced in the fly-on-the-wall show's nail-biting climax at 10pm.