THE X Factor has returned to Hampshire today for a new set of auditions.

Singers have queued up at Southampton's WestQuay Shopping Centre today in a bid to make an appearance on the hit TV talent show.

While Simon Cowell is not in the city to run the rule over the city's talent, dozens of people were hoping to impress as part of the show's regional tour to find contestants.

The Mobile Audition Tour will visit more than 40 towns and cities across the country and groups or solo singers aged 16 and older can apply by just turning up.

Today's auditions in Southampton will take place until 5pm.

Auditionees are nervously joining the queue to try their luck.

Nerves are high as the hopefuls wait to impress the judges.

Those waiting for their chance are frantically trying to remember the words to their songs while those who have finished their performances are relieved to have finished.

Some singers' hands are shaking from the buzz of auditioning and they now have to go home and await the verdict.

Ryan Rogers, 18 from Bitterne, said: "I am so nervous.

"My friends from the No Limits charity in Southampton made me come to audition, they all say I am really good. I am thinking about singing Rolling in the Deep' by Adele or Hello by Adele."

John Alf, 46 from Sholing, is unemployed because he wanted to focus on his singing career.

He regularly sings at the Talking Heads pub in Southampton.

He said: "I am feeling nervous but everyone knows me so I must be good. People recognise me in the street now, I have gone global! Singing is my dream."

Kerry Coomer, 18, is taking a gap year and lives in Corfe Mullen. She said: "I'm feeling nervous, my boyfriend got me to come. I have been singing with a teacher since I was 12 but nothing big.

"I'm planning to sing Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing."