THESE ARE the candidates who have put themselves forward for Dorset's ultimate challenge.

Twenty-five brave souls will spend five days on an island fighting for survival and raising thousands for charity.

Contestants met for the first time at the launch of the Daily Echo-backed Island Survival Challenge at the Trouville Hotel Bournemouth. Nigel Startin and Steve Murray from Southwest Survival School gave participants in the challenge some idea of what to expect by briefing them about their task which begins on Monday September 29.

Daily Echo Editor Neal Butterworth addressed the launch, while Christine Chatfield, regional appeals controller for the Anthony Nolan Trust, spoke about fund-raising.

Now the participants can get down to the nitty gritty of planning their 'exile'.

They are allowed to choose two luxury items from a menu, which includes up to 80 cigarettes or three cans of lager.

There will be a tuck shop on the island allowing participants to earn treats. Tools, which could be used for tunnelling, opening bottles or inflicting pain on fellow islanders, will be forbidden.

Most of the participants require the backing of their companies in order to make up the £1,000 needed to reach the £25,000 target set by the trust. The money raised will help leukaemia sufferers for whom finding an unrelated donor via an organisation like the Anthony Nolan Trust, is the patient's only chance of life.

Donations or queries about the register can be made by calling appeals manager for Dorset and Wiltshire, Sharon Wells on 07909 907211.