It is probably one of the most desirable jobs on the south coast and competition for it has been fierce.

With Maximum Bob leaving Power FM, his job as the Breakfast Show street boy is up for grabs.

Last week auditions took place in Portsmouth, Fareham and Southampton with nearly 100 people turning up to battle it out and impress the judges.

Friday's audition at the Hilton Hotel in Chilworth had the lion's share of the contenders with 40 wannabes turning up. I decided to go along to observe the proceedings.

The applicants were all aged between 20 and 30 and it seemed that many were serial auditioners. Many had already endured the self-inflicted torture of auditioning for Pop Idol, Hollyoaks and Blind Date in the past.

Another requirement for all you wannabes out there is to wear your wackiest clothes to an audition and to act like a hyperactive five-year-old.

A couple of people turned up

wearing suits and stuck out like sore thumbs.

The atmosphere in the waiting area was highly-charged and egos battled for centre stage. Downstairs in the auditioning room it was a different story as the once over-confident wannabes fought against their nerves.

Mind you, the auditioning room was intimidating. Contenders had to face a panel comprising breakfast presenter Rachel Brookes, Maximum Bob and programme controller Stuart Davis, as well as various other Power FM employees, hanger-ons (including me) and a barrage of radio equipment.

The wannabes had 60 seconds to talk about one of the following scenarios - having a dinner party with one special celebrity guest and why they want them there; which famous person they would least like to be stuck in a lift with; how they would chat up a celebrity; or a local place they'd like to do a live broadcast from. They then had to discuss their favourite website before revealing their character name and talking about why they want the opportunity to be a Power FM star.

Maximum Bob, who was treated with something approaching reverence by the wannabes, said that he had high hopes for the Southampton audition.

He said: "The standard of the girls has been far better than the boys so far. We had a very wacky girl turn up to the Fareham audition with a mannequin. She has made it to the final 15 contestants."

The judges will narrow these 15 down to the final five, who will be unveiled at the Southampton Balloon and Flower Festival on Saturday.

Then it will be up to listeners of Rick and Rachel's show to vote for their favourite wannabe.

Rachel explained what they were looking for. She said: "We aren't looking for another Maximum Bob. We want someone who is unique and individual. They need to be able to think outside of the book and they need to be someone who could make good radio.

"They need to be creative. We certainly aren't looking for someone who's got a 'I'm mad, me' attitude, although they do need to have a low embarrassment threshold."

First up for the auditions was probably the oldest contestant, 40-year-old Sarah Walker.

Her choice was to talk about how she would have dinner with Kim Cattrell from TV series Sex and the City because she is fun, glamorous and good to have a drink with.

She added: "My character name would be Go For It Sarah. I would be perfect for the job as I love talking and I love people."

Clare Jarvis, a 22-year-old administration assistant from Bitterne, was the second person to audition.

Her chosen name was CJ - 'Clare is her name, dares are her game' - and she told the judges how Brad Pitt would be the one asking her for a date.

And so the auditions continued into the afternoon. The judges heard a variety of nicknames including Mad Max, Lovely Laura, Craig Rock, Power Jen, Dangerous Donna and Hyperactive Hayley.

Stuart Davis, programme controller, said: "We have been pleased with the people we have had for the auditions. They have been a really mixed bunch. It is very hard to get your whole personality across in five minutes but everyone has tried very hard."

Listen to Power FM on Saturday to find out who the five finalists will be. In next week's Daily Echo we will be meeting all five contestants.