Neighbours fans offered chance to star in the show

Fans of Australian soap Neighbours could find themselves the newest resident on Ramsay Street after a competition for a new actress was launched.

The search is on to find a twenty-something British girl to star in the show for one month in the role of Poppy Rogers, a backpacker who makes friends with Mal Kennedy.

She has set off with the plan to travel the world armed with nothing more than her backpack and £100, with the programme makers looking for an actress who combines talent with determination and confidence.

To enter and win the chance of spending a month in Australia, contestants just need to learn the script on the Channel 5 website and record themselves performing it, as well as explaining to the judges why they want the role.

They then need to upload it onto YouTube and hope that they are one of the lucky people who are contacted by the programme makers for the next round of auditions.

For those who would rather stay at home and watch the soaps, they will soon see a fire engulf the factory on Coronation Street, with several characters trapped inside.

xxx Suzie Foreman