Archive - Wednesday, 6 February 2002


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Pop Idols' battle of the buses.

THE faces of Pop Idol's two finalists have been plastered across their battle buses thanks to a Cirencester firm.

Staff at Vehicle Wrapping Systems worked on the plush buses all weekend in a hangar at Kemble airfield.

They designed, printed and applied the 100 metre posters to the giant touring coaches.

The project could not be started until 9.15pm on Saturday until they knew who the two finalists would be.

Gareth and Will will be battling it out in the final on Saturday.

The would-be pop idols have spent this week touring London in their battle buses, which include three lounges and a cocktail bar, in a bid to drum up support for the final, which will be judged by the public via phone votes.

Mike Phillips, principal of Vehicle Wrapping Systems, based at Cirencester's Love Lane industrial estate, said: "We started the work on the two buses at 9.15pm on Saturday and finished at midnight on Sunday when the buses left Kemble for London.

"This was our biggest project ever. Each coach was the equivalent of about five cars in size. We couldn't start beforehand because we didn't know who the finalists would be.

"We're over the moon. It went really well and the buses have taken the capital by storm. "The amount of interest it has created is enormous. It's great because it's got a real Cirencester connection."

Mr Phillips declined to predict who the Pop Idol winner would be.

"I'm not a gambling man and I wouldn't like to say," he said.

Cirencester designer John Rutt also helped out with the project along with printer Guy Thornton, also from Cirencester.

Kemble-based Mole Plastic provided the hangar for the buses.

Around 10,000 hopefuls signed up to take part in ITV's biggest ever television talent contest.

The Pop Idol superstar will be voted for on Saturday and the winner will be given a record deal.

caption: Pop Idol finalists' battle buses with posters designed by Cirencester's Vehicle Wrapping Systems.