Girlband's proud families want the whole of Bristol to get behind their girls in the final stages of The X Factor.

Millions of viewers saw Marisa Billitteri, 20, from Kingswood, sisters Tita and Phoebe Lau, 20 and 18, from Whitehall, and Layla Manoochehri, 22, from Birmingham, win through to the finals of the ITV show on Sunday night.

Their families are urging Bristolians to vote for Girlband to help them win the competition.

Phoebe and Tita have loyal fans at Redland High School, where they were both pupils.

Tita left after her GCSEs, determined to make singing her career.

Phoebe got straight A grades at A-level at the school in the summer but has deferred entry to Leeds University for a year to see how her future in pop music develops.

The sisters gave an assembly at the school two weeks ago.

Redland head teacher, Caroline Bateman, said: "The girls of Redland High School are following the progress of Girlband with great interest and huge pride."

Tita and Phoebe have known Marisa all their lives.

Their mum, Karen, said: "The Billitteris lived two doors up from me. Marisa's mum and I were pregnant at the same time and have known each other since the girls were born.

"Tita and Phoebe loved to dance and sing. They used to perform at Eisteddfods and entered Fry's Search for a Star talent shows.

"I am just so happy for them. People will be seeing them perform live.

"They have worked for this for absolutely years. It really is a tough business.Their father and I are so proud."

Karen plans to have T-shirts printed with the slogan "Vote Girlband".

Marisa's family are still on cloud nine after X Factor judge Louis Walsh told the girls they would be going through.

Her father, John, 49, who works for DL Barrett building company, said: "The phone hasn't stopped ringing.

"Because the girls are not here – they are busy rehearsing – I've been nominated spokesperson.

"It's been such an emotional rollercoaster ride for us all.

"I'm hoping everyone will get behind them and vote for Girlband."

Marisa, a recruitment consultant at the Evening Post, has always loved to sing and has been taking part in talent contests since she was nine.

She has won junior and senior Search for a Star competitions and sang in a Disney Channel show called Star Ticket in 2003.

"When she was younger she used to get bullied for it but I think that will stand her in good stead. If the X Factor judges are critical it will be like water off a duck's back," said John.

"She has never given up on her dream.

"Of course we all hope Girlband will win but our priority now is to get them through next week.

"If everybody gets behind them they can do it."

Lesley Davies, 57, from St George, works with Marisa at the Evening Post.

She and other colleagues have been busy distributing "Vote Girlband" posters to Bristol shops.

Girlband will be up against boyband JLS and girl group Bad Lashes in the bands category.

The other contenders are Ruth, Daniel and Rachel in the over-25s category, Owen, Scott and Austin in the boys' category and Alexandra, Laura and Diana from the girls.

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