A nimble-fingered needleworker with a business in Broadway is undergoing the culture shock of his life.

Adam Spiers, of Cotswold Needlecraft, who lives in Evesham, is testing his stamina in front of millions of television viewers.

He is one of 30 men aged between 18 and 24 who have accepted the challenge of living the life of a 1950s national service recruit for four weeks.

It is all part of Carlton TV's new series Lads Army. Press officer Louise Greidinger said: "What we are trying to find out is whether we are really a generation of hard-drinking couch potatoes with no discipline and whether our young men really are softer than their counterparts 50 years ago."

The series of ten hour-long shows is on tomorrow (Friday) at 9pm and on Mondays and Fridays until June 18.

The new recruits are woken every morning at 0630 hours and from that moment until lights out at 2230 TV cameras and CCTV will follow their every move as they square up to their National Service.

They will experience everything from cold water communal showers and carbolic soap to the shaven heads and the scratchy uniform with authentic ration-type food and daily chores and punishments.

Adam's mum Monica, said: "We waved goodbye to him at the station two weeks ago and have not heard or seen him since except on the television. He seems to be getting on fine but looks different with his hair shaved."

She said Adam applied to go on the show via the Internet, but doesn't really know why.

The former Green Hill School pupil, who is a whiz at cross-stitch, is believed to have taken some sewing with him to fill in any spare time.

4 Close shave: Adam tries the life of a National Serviceman.