Two of the four finalists in this year's prestigious Welsh Learner of the Year competiton are from Pembrokeshire. Both are originally from across the border, both are called Evans and both will be profiled in BBC Wales' screening of the event Welsh Learner of the Year (Thursday, August 17, BBC Two Wales).

Helen Evans from Croesgoch near St Davids and Alison Evans from Little Newcastle near Haverfordwest, will both compete for the prestigious title at the National Eisteddfod alongside Stewart Imm from Cwmbran and Richard Howe from Porthcawl.

Helen and Alison - who live about ten miles from each other - were already officially among the crème de la crème of Welsh learners before this year's National Eisteddfod started. Now one of them may be honoured for their Welsh language skills as well as their contribution to local life through the medium of Welsh.

For Helen Evans, winning the title would be a great achievement, especially as she has been recovering from illness since she started to learn the language. A former BBC News 24 and Radio 5 Live news and sports presenter, Helen's journey into Welsh was more by accident than by design.

"In 2000, I had a year to forget, not to remember - nearly everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and I became very ill," she recalls. "I had no choice but to go to my parents in Pembrokeshire where I knew nobody because I'd grown up in Herefordshire. I was so depressed that I basically just hid away on the farm because I'd lost all confidence.

"After about a year my mum practically begged me to do something and suggested Welsh. It was an accident that I chose to learn Welsh - at that point I could have picked something to do by sticking a pin in it!

"But I really enjoyed the class and eventually I started trying out my Welsh when I was out and about. Through the language I got more involved in community life through Welsh and now I work at Ysgol Bro Dewi taking classes for teachers while they do their planning and preparation time. I take Welsh, music and arts and crafts and I help with the Urdd Club.

I'm very grateful to the Welsh language - it's helped rebuild my life no doubt."

Deputy church warden Alison Evans is originally from Hampshire but moved to Wales 1989. Married to Neville, she has her hands full helping to run the family farm, artificially inseminating cows, helping with an agricultural machinery business, editing the village newsletter and driving a late night minibus as well as St Davids park and ride service. On top of all that she has a busy schedule in her role with the local church and as a community councillor. To improve her Welsh, she and Neville have had to make some strict rules around the farm.

"When I got past the semi finals of the competition, we made a conscious decision that there was no need to carry on speaking English to each other so now we only speak Welsh," she says.

"I started learning Welsh because I felt it was important to be able to speak to friends in the community in their mother tongue. I picked up Welsh over the years, but then I started going to classes two years ago to fill the gaps in my knowledge. To be in the last four for the Welsh Learner of the Year title is just amazing - I hope it shows that I'm committed to learning the language. I'm never going to be Welsh, because I was born in England, but learning Welsh is the next best thing!"

Stuart Imm from Cwmbran won the title of Welsh Learner of the Year.