Hundreds of fame seekers queued for hours this weekend with dreams of becoming the star of a new movie. But only one lucky North-East girl is set to take the leading role in director Peter Howitt's latest film.

Acting hopeful and Northern Echo reporter Sarah Foster joined the queue

ON a chilly January morning, the unglamorous concrete car park of Tyne Tees Television's studios in Newcastle could have been a Hollywood movie set judging by the excited chatter which filled the air.

It was only 10am, but already a queue of 700 excited girls snaked beyond the furthermost pillars - and I was among them.

Most had set their alarms for the crack of dawn, while others had travelled from as far afield as London to get their shot at stardom.

The publicity for The Other Half, written and directed by former Bread star Peter Howitt, promised the ultimate prize for one aspiring actress - the chance to play the lead in a £10m film.

Raw talent was what Mr Howitt and Newcastle producer Richard Johns said they were looking for - someone who had possibly never acted before to star as 19-year-old Steph from South Shields, South Tyneside, who goes to pick grapes in Bordeaux, after getting bored with life in the North-East.

Despite the long wait and the cold, there was a sense of camaraderie among those of us queuing. We laughed, chatted, planned Saturday night out, and furiously fielded mobile phone calls and text messages.

When we were finally led inside, there were forms to fill out and our pictures were snapped on Polaroid's - before more waiting.

A film crew was recording at this stage, telling us first to talk more, then to talk less as they wanted to interview someone.

However, the audition, like the excitement itself, was over in a flash. You barely shook hands before Mr Howitt and Mr Johns told your time was up, their smiles unwavering.

They asked me about my brief appearance in Billy Elliot as listed on my form. Unfortunately, I had to explain that the scene was cut.

And the moment of truth arrived when a gregarious production team member came to tell us who had been recalled. Was all this waiting worth it?

I started to shake with excitement when the assistant read out the name Sarah. But my dreams of stardom dashed in an instant when it turned out to be a pretty drama graduate and not me.

I left feeling a bit disappointed but knowing that at least I had tried. Well, that's showbusiness, as some of my fellow fame seekers would find out.

Among those waiting to audition were Londoners Sara Kimberley, 21, and Bonnie Bridgman, 22, who had responded to an advert on an actors' website.

Ms Bridgman, a drama graduate, said: "It's just a brilliant opportunity. It's something that you can't miss.

"It's not often that there are open auditions, and it's getting your face seen by a director."

The friends were unperturbed by their southern accents, saying they had been watching Ant and Dec.

At the other end of the scale was barmaid Ashley Liddle, 17, from Wideopen, Newcastle, who had no acting experience.

She said: "My mam says I'm a bit of a drama queen, so I might as well get paid for it."

Cameras will start rolling this summer, but Mr Howitt wanted to find his star first in an unknown actress.

Mr Howitt's assistant said: "Decisions are being made very quickly. Even if the girls don't get the part of Steph, we also need lots of other characters for the film, including Steph's best friend Tracey."