Amateurs, experts and the downright awful were put through their paces at the first audition for a fly-on-the-wall documentary transforming ordinary singers into a classical choir yesterday.

Deidre Thomson was first in the queue at the auditions

Singers from across Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys voiced their approval of the television project, turning out in their dozens to perform in front of the cameras.

Potential stars of the show, which will lead to 40 of the best singers performing at London's Royal Albert Hall, grabbed the opportunity to sing at Blackbird Leys Community Centre.

New Zealander Deidre Thomson, of Shepherd's Hill, Greater Leys, was first in to impress judge and musical director of The New London Soloists Orchestra, Ivor Setterfield.

She said: "I got here early because I thought there would be a queue around the block and the longer I waited I knew the more I would panic."

As more singing talents from across the estate turned up, each hopeful waited for their one chance to impress.

Eric Hall, 71, of Fry's Court, Greater Leys was invited back in to the audition room to sing a duet with Ivor Setterfield.

The pensioner was in a band during the 1980's called Good Company, touring clubs in Oxford, and now plays keyboards for the elderly.

He said: "My ambition is to sing at the Royal Albert Hall and if there's a slightest possibility of making it, it would be my dream come true."

The first shortlist of successful singers through to Friday's finals will be posted up at the community centre at 1pm today.

Mother-of-three Lissiea Davidson, 40, of Haldane Road, has already dreamt she was on the bus to the Royal Albert Hall.

She said: "I don't know what it means and will have to look it up in my dream dictionary. It's the first audition I've gone for in my life. I'd like to be part of something that's good for the community."

Many who waited early for their chance to impress the judges were full of praise for the television experiment.

Lex Francis, 25, of Kingfisher Green, said: "It's an opportunity to talent spot in Blackbird Leys, which is a deprived area, and it's welcome here. I don't want to be famous or one of those people followed by paparazzi, I want to be a private famous person."

But for some hopefuls just taking part was their greatest achievement.

Wayne Brown, 36, of Linnet Close, got through his audition while recovering from Bell's palsey, a condition which causes facial paralysis and means he can only open one side of his mouth fully.

He said: "I've never had the confidence in my singing before. Bell's palsey can knock your confidence and if I can stand up and sing to someone then I'm not doing too badly."

Colin Morris-Smith, 47, of Falcon Close, works in the BMW paint shop and sang Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

He said: "They're looking for all sorts of people, not just people who can sing, but people he can turn into singers. That's why I came."

Further auditions will be held from 9.30am on Wednesday.