Search on for UK's 'science idol'

Contestants want a taste of Pop idol winner Will Young's success

Hundreds of budding scientists will compete for the chance to appear on TV in the science world's equivalent to Pop Idol.

Hopefuls have just three minutes to show judges they are the new face of science at auditions on Thursday at the Science Museum in South Kensington.

The winner will get a £2,000 cash prize, their own speaking tour of the UK, as well as TV broadcasting time.

The FameLab finals will take place in June at Cheltenham Science Festival.

The nationwide competition is open to over-18s who are working in science, including teachers, technicians and students.

Competitors can choose to present any area of science, technology, engineering or maths.

Great Ormond Street Hospital neurophysiologist Dr Mark Lythgoe and Timandra Harkness, science writer and stand-up comedian, will be part of the judging panel.