By Nayeema Chowdhury

Day One: Bristol

It seems that one of the team forgot that they were working on Bank Holiday. No, it wasn't Radio Newcastle's Paul Wappat, or even Ian Robinson, it was the Blue bus.

Perhaps, thinking intrepid driver Ken was taking the bus on a well-deserved holiday, the blue vehicle decided it did not want to broadcast from Bristol, and instead sat back and enjoyed the beautiful view of the @t Bristol museum.

Julie and Jim think Newcastle and Gateshead have more to offer than Bristol

The rest of us, however, remembered our duties and knew we had a mission to complete.

Plucky producer, Jamie Wilkinson, led the way as the team descended upon BBC Radio Bristol to make sure our listeners found out exactly what the competition was like.

Radio Newcastle listeners, Julie Renwick and Jim Harrison, travelled from their home in Ryton to help the gang on the bus find out more about Bristol.

Their verdict on Bristol's chances of claiming the Capital of Culture crown?

"A fantastic city that deserved to be shortlisted for the competition. However, Newcastle Gateshead has far more to offer tourists in terms of things to do and places to see."

Jo Costello thinks the North East bid is a bobby dazzler.

Ex-pat Geordie, Jo Costello, currently works as a runner on BBC Bargain Hunt and has been living in Bristol since January.

But living in the South West hasn't diluted her Geordie loyalties.

"Newcastle Gateshead is all about the people," she says. "It's far friendlier than Bristol".

Next stop is Cardiff.