AMERICAN IDOL - THOUSANDS QUEUE FOR AMERICAN IDOL AUDITIONS

The fourth series of AMERICAN IDOL has attracted a staggering number of pop hopefuls, who queued for more than 24 hours to audition for the show in Cleveland, Ohio.

More than 15,000 arrived on Tuesday morning (03AUG04) for the first round of open auditions on Wednesday (04AUG04) and braved sweltering temperatures for the chance to be one of the final 12 people who will be picked to go through to the televised stage of the talent contest.

One hopeful ANTONIO CRANE, 27, enthuses, "It's worth every minute of it."

Wannabe chart-topper RACHEL GILMOR, 20, says, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, might as well take advantage of it when it's in your own back yard."

The first round of contestants will be judged by the show's executive producers the final group will then perform for TV judges SIMON COWELL, RANDY JACKSON and PAULA ABDUL in two weeks (begs17AUG04).