A COUPLE who lost out on reality TV flop The Block have turned to internet auction site eBay to sell their luxury home.

Helen and Paul Day spurned conventional decor in the house they created for the ITV show in Vine Street, Brighton.

But week after week, judge Nicholas Cowell criticised their experimental designs - which often incorporated Helen's favourite colour, pink - in favour of more conventional decor from rival contestants.

After two months of tears, frustration and falling ratings, viewers watched as the newlyweds lost out on the £25,000 prize money when their house failed to sell.

Actress Helen and chef Paul, who spent their honeymoon on the DIY show, have now been given four months to find buyers for the townhouse.

They and the other two losing couples will walk away with nothing if they fail to shift the properties by January 31 or raise bids of at least £300,000.

Paul, who was born in Cuckfield and lives with Helen in Brighton, revealed their eBay plans while voicing his frustrations with the show. He said: "Were feeling a bit miffed - it's like we were duped.

"We signed a contract before we went on the programme which outlined how the show would progress - that each couple would get £25,000 to transform their house, with the proviso they would then go to auction.

"That suited us because we were banking on the fact the show would be big, like it was in Australia, and attract lots of viewers.

"So we let our imaginations run wild and by the middle of filming we were up there to win the main prize of £50,000.

"But the show got slated quite a lot, there were problems with the sponsor and the show got shifted to 11pm.

"The production company got into a right pickle about how to sell the houses and decided there shouldnt be an auction."

He said the decision to judge the winners by the highest valuation from a group of estate agents, and not by auction, worked against them.

Paul, 39, added: "We realised we were a bit apart with our choice of colours etc.

"If we had known it was going to be valued, and not sold at public auction, we'd have toned it down a bit."

The estate agents plumped for Tim and Hele's house and they won the £25,000 prize.

Show bosses then decided to give Helen and Paul and the other losing couples, Marinella and Steve, and Brightonians Jack and Lesley, the chance to sell their houses. Each couple will get the difference between the selling price and the price the houses were valued at - £300,000.

At first, Helen and Paul opted for the conventional route with High Street estate agent Parsons Son & Basley. Then they started to consider the online auction.

Paul said: "Were in the process of putting it on eBay. The house would make a great home or even holiday home. Its in an ideal location and is completely furnished.

"On the show, the houses were often shown lit to full capacity, which didnt do our place justice.

"By putting it on eBay it will be available to a wider audience."

The couple plan to give the property a reserve price of about £320,000 and hope to get it online within a week.