ALTRINCHAM'S Rebecca Jeffery survived the first episode of The Apprentice by the skin of her teeth.

She sold only £25 worth of goods in the week's task - selling collectables and other items at the market and others locations across London.

The task saw the women's team - Nebula - take on the men's team - Titan - and the men's team won convincingly.

Thirty-one-year-old Rebecca was one of three members of the women's team called back into the boardroom by Lord Sugar - as he decided which of them should be sacked.

In the end, Lord Sugar opted to axe team leader Michelle Niziol.

But he warned Rebecca, the owner of a marketing and design business: "I don't know if you are the wrong type of candidate for this process."

And, after sacking Michelle, he said: "At the moment, Rebecca, you are floating as deadwood does.

"But it it very early in the process. so I am going to let you stay."

Earlier, Rebecca had tried to explain to Lord Sugar her failure to sell many items at the market: "It is not what I do. I can build relationships with people.

"I am brilliant to work with, I can lead a team.

"I am not ready to go."

Earlier in the episode, Lord Sugar had made it clear he had no time for complaints from any of the contestants.

“If you want to moan, you can send me an email at lordsugar@idontcare.com.”

*The Apprentice, Thursdays, 9pm, BBC1