Aspiring radio presenters bidding to follow in the footsteps of JoAnne Good, crashed phone lines as they bombarded the BBC with calls.

Dozens of people rang the audition line at Southern Counties Radio to leave a one-minute message explaining why they should get the job.

The radio hopefuls were hoping to win a place as the new Brighton-based presenter on the Breakfast Live programme.

Engineers were forced to suspend the telephone auditioning for several hours yesterday while the system was upgraded.

Programme editor Mark Carter said: "More than 100 callers left an audition tape and many more could not get through. It overloaded the system and sent it into meltdown.

"We had no idea so many people were after JoAnne's job. It has created a lot of interest."

JoAnne, 47, has moved to BBC London's overnight programme.

She will continue to present a Saturday show on BBC Southern Counties Radio from 9am to 1pm.

To audition for her job, would-be presenters with or without broadcasting experience should phone 01273 320430 and leave a one-minute message.

The newly upgraded telephone lines will remain open until Saturday.