Top TV comic Lee Mack took a break during his sell-out UK tour to judge a comedy-writing competition at Bristol Cathedral Choir School.

He praised the eight students from Years 7 and 8 who were brave enough to perform a stand-up routine at the school's inaugural Comedy Club show –and said he wished he had had the opportunity to perform when he was their age.

Mr Mack is a good friend of the school's principal, Neil Blundell. As boys, they lived just a few streets apart, walking home together from Stanley High School in Southport.

After watching the boys' routines, he told the pupils taking part: "I'm not used to seeing people who are so young wanting to be involved in comedy: it's amazing and you all did really well.

"I would have killed for the opportunity you have had today! After I decided to become a comedian, it took another 12 years before I actually did my first gig, so you have a huge head-start over me."

Asked if the boys who performed could be successful as professional comedians, he quipped: "If someone like Neil Blundell can become the head of a school, anything's possible!"

The comedy club is run by teacher Frances Cox. The eight students who performed were: Alec Sims, Year 8; Ryan Hughes, Year 7; Jacob Hannam, Year 8; Conor Harniman, Year 7; Dan Attree, Year 8; Lorenzo Niyongabo, Year 8; Isaac Milhoffer, Year 8 and Dom King, Year 8.

Mr Mack declared Lorenzo to be narrowly the winner.

Here are some of the gags which raised a laugh among the audience of classmates and teachers:

● "I missed the no. 44 bus so I had to catch the no. 22 bus…twice."

●"So I said: 'Join a comedy club – you must be joking.'

●"My sister's favourite toy? My Little Triceratops."