HUNDREDS of people queued patiently in Winchester's Cathedral Close on Thursday in the hope of becoming a big-screen sensation.

They were there for auditions at the Deanery for extras to appear in Elizabeth: The Golden Era, the sequel to the 1998 film, Elizabeth, starring Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush, with crowd scenes being filmed in Winchester next month.

In the shelter of the cathedral, and outside in the spitting rain, they carefully filled in application forms that covered everything from shoe size to rather more intimate "vital statistics".

In particular, film staff were looking out for blonde women and bearded men, but people of all ages queued in the hope of being snapped up for an appearance on the silver screen.

Extras can expect to earn £70 per day - but because costume and make-up takes so long, they have to be there as early as 5.30am and be prepared for "a lot of waiting around".

Candy Marlowe, the assistant director for crowd scenes, who also worked on The Constant Gardener, said: "The turnout has been amazing. I think that by the time we finish the auditions, we will have seen more than 1,000 people."

Emily Smythe, 19, from Winchester, was among those hoping to land a part in the crowd scenes.

"I'm really nervous but excited, too. It's great that they are doing this in Winchester today," she said.

Bearded Sean Malloy, 44, from Littleton, said: "I'm not expecting to be cast but it would be nice. It's like the lottery - you have to be in it to win it."

The Golden Era will tell the story of Queen Elizabeth's middle years on the throne, during the late 1500s.

Cate Blanchett is back in the lead role, Clive Owen will star as Sir Walter Raleigh and Geoffrey Rush will reprise his part as Sir Francis Walsingham.