A VERWOOD man is enjoying celebrity status after surviving Channel 4's reality TV show Shipwrecked.

Paul Harris, 23, had been out of the Royal Marines for a fortnight last August when he was packed off to a South Pacific island.

"One minute I was in the Marines, the next I was sitting on a beautiful beach with loads of sun and girls running around in bikinis," he said.

"Even now, watching it back on TV, I have to pinch myself to remember it actually happened."

Shipwrecked features two competing islands of contestants, battling to win over new arrivals. The show is not live, so Paul returned home in time to catch his first appearance. Since his return, Paul has been making the most of his celebrity status.

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "I go out in Bournemouth quite a bit, and suddenly I'm getting mobbed by groups of girls, and people I knew from school, all asking about the show.

"I find it quite embarrassing, but it's a pretty nice feeling at the same time.

"Now I'm just milking it as much as possible!"