Budding television news stars were at Preston's Guild Hall on Wednesday hoping to be crowned the winner of the Evening Post competition.

Each competitor was asked to present a short news bulletin for the Evening Post's redesigned website lep.co.uk.

The wannabes were bidding for the chance to present a special edition of the lunchtime news bulletin and receive a tour of the newsroom.

The winner will also receive a DVD recording of their television debut, which will take place on the launch day of the new lep.co.uk site later this month.

Among the hopefuls was Tracey McLaine, 31, who previously worked as a television presenter in Dubai.

Tracey, who returned to her native Preston last year, said: "I was really nervous, even though I've done newsreading in the past.

"I think it probably could have gone better than it did."

Also at the auditions was Coun Bill Tyson, Mayor of Preston. But he won't be hanging up his chain of office for the small screen any time soon.

Evening Post editor Simon Reynolds and Coun Tyson will make the final decision, and audition tapes will be screened on the Evening Post's website until the announcement is made.