Radio Cambridgeshire Features

Sir Alan's a tough nut to crack when it comes to persuading him that you're worth the investment - not so very different, then, to our own presenter, Jeremy Sallis, except that Jez hasn't actually got two beans to rub together.

However, what he does have is a wealth of broadcasting experience (so he says) which we think qualifies him perfectly to host the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Apprentice-style-search-for-a-future-star-type-thing. We may, or may not, come up with a more catchy title. Leave that one with us.

And so, over the course of a week, we're putting five hopeful broadcasting students through their paces; setting them challenges and 'firing' one poor soul each day until only one survives come Friday. It's a dog-eat-dog, survival of the most creative challenge for these five students currently in years one and two of Cambridge Regional College's (CRC) Radio Broadcast and Journalism course.

Phil Pethybridge is their tutor and insists that Darren, Chelsea, Gary, Sam and Nicki are typical of the students on the course, so we're expecting a good cross-section of results as we challenge them to do some 'real journalism' which will be broadcast live on the breakfast show each day.

Our budding stars' work will be judged by some of your favourite presenters from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and Look East, and one-by-one we'll whittle them down to the finalist who will receive... nothing. No, really. This is the BBC - what DID you expect? Of course, there'll be the kudos of hearing their reports on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire together with that warm, fuzzy feeling that can only come from defeating your former friends in this battle of skill, wit and ruthless determination.

Monday's challenge

Jez tells the students to go forth and pester the good people of Cambridgeshire and return with a 30-second vox pop - a selection of comments from the public - on a hot topic of their own choosing. Each of the radio packages will be played on Tuesday's show and one student will be 'fired', never to darken our doorstep again.

Listen as the five students are introduced and face the sharp tongue of the master dragon, 'Sir' Jeremy Sallis:

Find out how our apprentices fared on day two:

Keep your eyes on this page as we follow the progress of our students throughout the week