Friends of Bristol X Factor contestants Girlband are urging music fans in the city to pick up the phone and vote for the group ahead of the start of the show's live finals tomorrow.

Belinda Lowry, aged 33, from Kingswood, spoke on behalf of staff at the Bristol Evening Post who work with band member Marisa Billitteri.

Belinda, the Post's director of regional recruitment, said: "We're all rooting for Marisa and her band mates. Everyone in Bristol needs to pick up the phone and vote for their favourite Girlband.

"The whole city is behind them and we're keeping our fingers crossed for the live show."

The band is made up of Marisa, 20, from Kingswood, sisters Tita and Phoebe Lau, aged 20 and 18, from Whitehall, and Layla Manoochehri, 22, from Birmingham.

Staff donned T-shirts made by Gareth Lewis, of Whitewater Studios in Kingswood, to send the girls a good luck message.

And Girlband mentor Louis Walsh said: "Bristol get voting for Girlband.

"They are four fantastic girls with a great talent and we want a group to win The X Factor this year, so pick up your phones and get voting!"

Marisa's dad John, 49, a construction worker, said: "I spoke to Marisa on Wednesday and all the girls are in a very buoyant mood.

"They were in the rehearsal studios all day yesterday practising so they know where to stand when they go on stage.

"But they're definitely ready for it. The message to Bristol is pick up the phone and just vote, vote, vote!"

His daughter won the junior Search for a Star competition in 2003, aged 14. She won the senior title after she turned 18.

Marisa recently spoke out on being bullied as a child for wanting to be a singer.

She said: "It really did knock me back but I thought I'm going to go for it. I became stronger as a person when I met the girls."

Social networking site Facebook is hosting to fanclub GIRLBAND Support Group!! which has nearly 3,000 members.

On the website Chantelle Jenkins, from Bristol, said: "omg... these girls are well good. i really hope they win. good luck. im supporting u all the way. xx Also big up bristol!!! Yay. do it for bristol, girls xxxx

And Nikki May Payne added: "Good Luck Girls, the whole of Bristol will be voting for you to WIN xx."

It's been a gruelling ride for the girls after two days of boot camp and travelling to Ireland to sing in front of Walsh and Shane Filan from Westlife.

Viewers will vote for the final 12 acts who will perform in front of a live TV audience on Saturday at 7.30pm.

The results will be revealed at 10pm.