A TRUCKER who has spent the past 22 years and £40,000 in search of fame is pinning his hopes on an internet version of the X Factor.

Paul Etheridge, 37, hopes to hit the big time later this year when millions will create a band from 1,000 artists posted on website Rock Control.

The singer said: "I've always been dreaming of stardom and I've got what it takes to hit the big time. I'm confident and I don't hide behind the mic."

He has spent thousands over the years in recording studios hoping his tunes would catch record company bosses' imaginations – but to no avail.

If Mr Etheridge, who already has two canine fans – his dogs JD and Coco – is successful he will become one of the members of the band.

The creator of Rock Control Mark Bowness, 30, the brains behind creating an eco- community on a Fiji island for BBC2, believes millions will have voted by the end of August.

If Mr Etheridge wins a place in the band, he will be whisked off to London, where he will spend the next six months recording a single.

He said: "I've performed in bars and pubs in Thanet and in Thanet Pride in 2008.

"I think I got the bug at primary school when I sang in a school musical called The Biggest Turnip."

Within 48 hours of the site's launch on June 1, a thousand artists had signed up and thousands of people began voting for their favourite band member.

Go to www.rockcontrol.com