A ONCE-in-a-lifetime opportunity is just around the corner for 15 lucky people who will soon be rubbing shoulders with the stars.

Wyvern FM is offering a golden gateway to meet some of the hottest pop acts around.

Fifteen lucky people could find themselves meeting Blue, ex-Steps stars H and Claire or 3SL as part of a mega competition.

The radio station, based in Barbourne, has even turned down £1,000 from a desperate mum who wanted to buy her daughter one of the winning tickets.

Already, 7,000 tickets have been snapped up for the XS 2002 pop event, being staged in association with the Evening News.

Artists already confirmed include Brit Award-winners Blue, H and Claire, Pop Idol star Rik Waller and boy bands 3SL and Aurora.

All pop enthusiasts have to do is buy a ticket for the event, and keep their fingers crossed that the number printed on it matches that of Wyvern FM's Golden Ticket.

"It really is the prize that money can't buy," said Wyvern FM programme controller Simon Monk.

"I had someone call me the other day and offer £1,000 for their daughter to meet Blue - we turned it down.

"We've had all sorts of offers, some very enterprising, such as youngsters asking to interview the bands because they want to be journalists.

"But the only way to meet the stars is to have Wyvern FM's Golden Ticket."

The XS 2002 concert is taking place at Worcestershire County Cricket Club on Sunday, June 2.

Classical Picnic & Proms, staged in association with radio station Classic FM, will be held at the same venue the following day.

At 7am each day, Wyvern FM's morning crew will be inviting listeners to phone in and tell them their ticket number.

This week, if it matches up with the Golden Ticket, they will be given the chance to meet 3SL.

Next week, the prize is the chance to meet H and Claire, and the following week, Blue.

Mr Monk said some of the winning numbers were on tickets already bought.

"We've got five tickets for 3SL and there is only one left to be bought," added Mr Monk. Tickets are available on 08708 400400, tourist information centres in Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Redditch, Ledbury, Evesham, Worcester, Malvern, Upton-upon-Severn, Bewdley and Bromsgrove.

They are also on sale at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford, Huntingdon Hall in Worcester and Kidderminster Harriers Football Club.