CHICKEN breeder Nikki Williams was due to find out today if she was going to be one of the first thrill seekers to try the spectacular new ride at Alton Towers.

The 26-year-old recruitment consultant, pictured, is one of 30 roller-coaster enthusiasts from all over the country chosen to enter a 'boot camp' at the theme park.

Alton Towers put out a national appeal to find thrill seekers who wanted to be among the first to ride Th13teen, the new ride park bosses are calling a psychoaster, because it combines the white-knuckle speed of a roller-coaster with the psychological scares of a horror film.

After undergoing a series of challenges at 'boot camp' 18 of the participants were today due to be selected to ride the roller-coaster.

Nikki, of Duddell Road, Smallthorne, was selected for boot camp after judges were impressed with the audition video she sent in telling of her hobby of breeding show chickens.

Nikki, who lives with her partner Paul Heath, aged 39, said: "They were looking for people a bit different, so I told them how I breed show chickens.

"I've done it for seven years and I've got about 50 or 60 chickens at home.

"I've always loved roller-coasters, but my partner doesn't like them. I think it would be brilliant to be one of the first to go on Th13teen. It would mean the world to me."

Yesterday, Nikki and the other hopefuls had their credentials tested. As well as riding on Air for a full hour, they were tested at orienteering, archery, given team building and psychoanalytical tests.

Last of all they were told to pitch tents, blindfold, and then they were scared by Alton Towers staff dressed as characters from horror movies.

Those not selected to complete the ride will go home disappointed.

The rest of the public will have to wait until Saturday for a chance to ride Th13teen, which replaces the Corkscrew.

Riders are catapulted into a spooky woodland setting, with plenty of scary surprises designed to terrify thrill seekers even more than the speed of the ride itself.

A spokesman for Alton Towers said: "The ride has been developed with the world's leading coaster and thrill consultants who have collaborated to combine the ultimate elements of physical and psychological fear."

Jonathan Whittaker, of Brown Edge, will be one of the first people to ride Th13teen, at the press and VIP launch on Friday night. The 28-year-old technical manager said: "It's pretty exciting. I saw it last year being built and it looks pretty intense."

Alton Towers opens its 2010 season on Saturday.