IT WAS a chance for hundreds of budding singers in Southampton to reach their dreams.

The X Factor was back in full force in the city for a second year offering performers a day of auditions.

The ITV show has made stars like One Direction, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke and people in Southampton were reaching for the same success as they prepared to sing for the show's production team.

More than 50 people went to WestQuay for the booth auditions and shoppers watched eagerly from the balconies to see if the city had any potential superstars.

Just like last year, 29-year-old Kayley Giles was at the front of the queue with hopes of cracking her nerves.

She said: "This is such an amazing opportunity to have in Southampton and I wasn't going to let it go by another time. I've worked really hard for the past year to calm my nerves and be more confident and they seemed to smile when I was singing so that's a hopeful sign."

Unlike last year when the best singers were given golden tickets through to the next round, each contestant was given a letter saying if they were successful they would find out in July.

But two singers impressed the judges so much that they were asked to come to a closed audition at the Orange Rooms today.

Student Harriet Olive, 21 from Marchwood was one of those chosen, she said: "I was so scared when I didn't get a letter but turns out it's a good thing and I'm so excited to have another go at singing for them.

"I absolutely love to sing it helps boost your confidence."

Jemma Adey, 21, a hairdresser from Southampton was the second, she said: "I didn't want to even go in but my mum gave me a push and I went for it.

"I did it for my grandma, she loves hearing me sing and all my family are so supportive, I can't believe I'm good enough it's amazing."

It will be an anxious wait for the performers to find out if they are called back for more auditions but the production team is also inviting people to the 1865 in Brunswick Square at 8pm tonight for stage auditions.

A spokesperson for the group said: "Doing these regional auditions is a great way to find talent, if it's on your doorstep you can't have an excuse and so many people have said today that they've always wanted to know if they were good enough and a lot of them were so it's great to come to Southampton and continue our search for the person with the X Factor."

To see the auditions and find out more about the performers go to dailyecho.co.uk.