Two Bristol teenagers are tonight taking part in the semi-finals of BBC 2 reality show The Speaker.

Irene Carter, 17, from Southville, and Duncan Harrison, 15, from Horfield, are both students at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School.

The pair won through from thousands of applicants for the programme, which gives a 21st- century twist to public speaking.

Fellow pupils, staff, parents and friends will be glued to their TV screens to see whether Irene and Duncan make it through to tomorrow night's final.

Five other youngsters from the school – Joe Lewis, 16, from Totterdown; Hannah Dixon, 15, from Horfield; Joe Hensey, 15, from Westbury Park; Lewis Parker, 15, from Bedminster; and Jack Chianese, 15, from Horfield – were shown in early episodes of the show when they took part in auditions.

The programme's judges are comedian Jo Brand, basketball player John Amaechi and perfomance expert Jeremy Stockwell.

Head teacher Elisabeth Gilpin said: "I am delighted with how well Duncan and Irene have done so far. We do encourage our students to be able to think for themselves and communicate."

Coincidentally, last night saw the finals of a more traditional public speaking event for Bristol teenagers, with the final of The Gabblers Club contest.

Sixteen youngsters made after-dinner speeches in front of judges at The Bristol Hotel.

The contest, now in its 22nd year, is open to students from state and independent schools and colleges.

Co-chairman of The Gabblers Shana Morris said: "Our Grand Final Banquet is a formal black tie dinner, familiar to some, but quite new to others, and therefore an important part of the educational process which The Gabblers Club hopes to impart.

"It is wonderful to be able to show the positive side of the youth of Bristol. We have so many excellent young people in this city."