Scores of estate residents made a bid for fame at the latest auditions for an X-Factor style TV documentary in Blackbird Leys.

Hopefuls of all ages gathered yesterday at the Blackbird Leys Community Centre, Blackbird Leys Road, to try to win a place on Five's Ivor's Choir.

The winners will be trained by Ivor Setterfield, the musical director of The New London Soloists Orchestra, and their progress followed for the documentary.

John Humphries, nicknamed Big John, 50, of Sorrel Road, Blackbird Leys, who was rejected from the X-Factor, sang Robbie Williams' Angels.

He said: "Ivor seemed to be impressed -- he gave me some good advice, to be passionate and sing more gently instead of blasting out.

"It was much better than my X- Factor audition -- he was very understanding."

Michaela Hayward, 17, of Sandy Lane, who is unemployed, sang Alanis Morissette's Ironic at the audition.

She said: "I just thought it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Everybody tells me I'm a good singer, so why not have a go to find out if I can sing for an expert? I used to do karaoke in pubs with Big John." Diana Wilson, 51, of Giles Road, Littlemore, a support worker for people with autism, sang Danny Boy in her audition.

She said: "It's such a massive thing for the community, it's got to be beneficial.

"It's something we can be proud to be part of."

Cindy Reid, 50, of Hillsborough Road, Cowley, a music teacher, said: "Blackbird Leys has never had anything like this before. If I can help in any way I'm happy to."

She sang Louis Armstrong's When You're Smiling.

Sharon Highton, 29, of Kingfisher Green, Blackbird Leys, a volunteer at Community Action Development, said: "I have sung a few times before and written poetry. I just want to get the confidence to get up on stage and do poetry slams.

"Oxford doesn't get many opportunities like this. I have been moaning that there needs to be more for young people like there is in Birmingham, Manchester and London."

She sang Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Mike Griffiths, deputy series producer, said: "We had a great response and some cracking singers have come through.

"There has been an incredibly high standard of singing. It's been fantastic.

"But we want people who don't believe they can sing to come and have a go. Ivor wants people who he can train into singers, not people who are necessarily brilliant singers already. It is a whole series of mini singing lessons."

He said the documentary was very different from the X -Factor, where judge Simon Cowell notoriously criticised singers who were below par. Instead Ivor aimed to see the potential in contestants and bring out the best in them.

The names of those through to the next round were due to be posted outside the community centre at 1pm today.

More auditions will be held this Friday (January 27) between noon and 8pm.