A group of Scottish students are vying to be crowned the nation's latest singing sensation in a new entertainment programme on BBC1.

The Alleycats, a contemporary a cappella group from St Andrews University, will be going head-to-head with choirs from all walks of life in a new talent search to find the UK's most popular choir.

Following applications from across the country, the Alleycats were selected as one of the 60 best choirs to take part in the auditions for the series Last Choir Standing.

Presenters Nick Knowles and Myleene Klass are joined by a judging panel of music experts - opera superstar Russell Watson, actress, singer and West End star Sharon D Clarke and choral conductor and director Suzi Digby OBE, who will be putting the choirs through their paces.

Founded in 2001 by two St Andrews students sharing a passion for singing, the Alleycats were initially all male and performed at student functions.

When the group became mixed-voice in 2007, it shifted further towards contemporary pop-rock music, performing songs by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Mika, Massive Attack and George Michael.

They released their fifth studio album, Meow, That's What I Call Music!, in May.

From the choirs invited to audition at London's Cadogan Hall, the panel of judges will decide which 15 will go through to the studio heats.

Tyler Mattiace, manager of the Alleycats, said: "This will be the greatest and most terrifying challenge the Alleycats have faced."

Glasgow's Les Sirenes, the Craigie Community Choir from Perth, Dundee Rep Theatre Women's Singing Group and Inverness's Singing for Pleasure are the other Scottish choirs in contention. Last Choir Standing starts tomorrow at 7.45pm on BBC1.