AND then there was one. Lorry driver Tim Miller was last man standing when the Human Zoo closed for business.

The 21-year-old from Portswood, Southampton, came out top in a head-to-head text vote, as reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo.

But he wasn't the only winner in the ten-day endurance contest.

Bosses at Whiteley Village Outlet Shopping, where the event was held, have revealed a huge increase in sales.

During the competition period, 81,000 people visited the shopping village - 36,000 more than this time last year. Sales were up 25 per cent.

Andrew Rollings, Whiteley Village Outlet Shopping retail director, said: "It has, without a shadow of doubt, been the most successful

promotion we've ever run."

There was delight and despair as the result was announced yesterday morning.

Tim leapt hysterically around the zoo - a conservatory complex in Whiteley Village Outlet Shopping - when it was announced live on the Power FM Breakfast Show that he had scooped £5,000 and a luxury safari holiday to Nairobi, Kenya.

But while Tim's supporters were celebrating, runner-up Rupert Bolger's family could not contain their disappointment and were left comforting each other.

Power FM received more than 5,000 text messages, voting for Tim or Rupert, a 35-year-old social worker from Whiteley.

Although the competition had been close, in the end Tim won with a large majority.

He said he was planning on spending some of his prize money on celebrating but was going to put most of it to a more practical use.

"It's enough to clear all my debts and take away the stress I've had over the last few months," he said.

"I feel for my friends as well because they've had to support me through four public votes so I probably owe them a few quid."