No chart position is more coveted than the Christmas No. 1 spot. And no top ten is as likely to be filled with novelty acts, sugary ballads and jingly bells.

In recent years, the top Christmas slot has been the domain of boy bands, the Spice Girls and Mr Blobby.

This year could be different as a host of unlikely acts stake their claim for immortality.

They range from the Sussex-based Transylvanian twins the Cheeky Girls to spandex-clad comedy rockers The Darkness.

The bookies' favourites are the stars of ITV1 show Pop Idol, including Lancing teenager Chris Hide.

The final 12 contestants have recorded a version of the John and Yoko song Happy Xmas, War Is Over, which svengali Simon Cowell predicts will be the year's biggest seller.

But a growing number of people have become weary of the manufactured pop churned out on reality television shows.

There has also been criticism the single is tasteless while the war on terrorism continues and troops are still subjected to attacks in Iraq.

Captain Sensible, a former Brighton resident and guitarist with punk legends The Damned, said: "A potential chart biggie is going to be the amazingly inappropriate choice of a cover version of Lennon's Happy Xmas, War Is Over.

"This will infest our TV screens for the forseeable future, courtesy of the combined 2003 Pop Idols. Don't they read the papers or anything?"

There is likely to be a concerted effort to usurp the Pop Idols with The Darkness' Don't Let The Bells End and festive favourite Sir Cliff Richard's Santa's List.

The Captain himself and a group of close friends are also seeking the top spot. The 100-1 outsider, Ere's Your Christmas by Punk Aid features poet Martin Newell, portly Pop Idol loser Rik Waller and five topless young ladies.

The record is raising money for children with cerebral palsy and is released on December 8, giving it a chance to build up a head of steam before the Christmas charts.

Brighton-based actor Patrick Bergin is launching a surprise musical career.

The star of Hollywood thriller Sleeping With The Enemy has recorded a controversial song called I'm A Knacker, an ode to fearsome Irish anti-hero Jim Burke, nicknamed the Nenagh Knacker.

It has caused uproar in Bergin's native Ireland, where the term "knacker" is used as an insult for travellers. But Bergin insists the song is not racist.

Hove's superstar DJ Fatboy Slim is said to be forming an unlikely alliance with Seventies glove puppet Basil Brush.

A press release from the vulpine's publicists said: "Basil Brush is in talks with Fatboy Slim to remix his forthcoming Christmas single Christmas Slide.

The remix version will target clubbers and ravers.

"Fatboy Slim looks set to join a host of celebrities including Craig David, Atomic Kitten, Mis-teeq, Sugababes and Danni Minogue to back the foxtastic fox for the Christmas No.1."

Basil says: "It's about four-and-a-half inches across and it's on a marvellous piece of technology called a CD.

"I sing on it, you know. I have a voice like a bird - a crow in fact."

Fatboy, alias Norman Cook, has denied involvement with the project.

Another act hoping to rise to the occasion are the melodic quartet Four Poofs And A Piano.

The group - more hairdresser than barbershop - provide jingles for Jonathan Ross' talk show but are ranked as outsiders for the coveted top spot.

The foursome, featuring Brighton entertainer David Wickenden, are hoping to sneak in through the back door with their single Camp Up Your Christmas, which is released on Monday.

Brighton-based dance act The Lost Brothers are releasing the decidedly-unfestive Cry Little Sister, a cover of a track from cult vampire movie The Lost Boys.

The Cheeky Girls complete the Sussex contingent striving for chart supremacy.

The Rye-based Romanians, Monica and Gabriela Irimia, release Have A Cheeky Christmas on December 8.

Other contenders include Atomic Kitten, actor Bill Nighy and Blue with Stevie Wonder.