A star-studded cast has been lined up for the movie about the remarkable story of 11 woman who stripped naked for a charity calendar.

Helen Mirren and Julie Walters will take leading roles in the tale of how the middle-aged members of a women's institute near Skipton were catapulted to international fame.

And as the big name actors prepare to bare all as filming starts in June, the Rylstone and District WI members who famously posed are delighted at the casting.

Tricia Stewart, of Cracoe, who dreamed up the pin-up project with her friend Angela Baker, said it was fantastic news.

Mrs Stewart, 53, whose character will be played by Helen Mirren, said: "I find it incredible really, but I am not totally surprised because we felt it was going to be that calibre of film and going to have top British stars.

"When we were first talking about the film more than a year ago we made a list of who we would like and Helen Mirren and Julie Walters were on it."

Angela Baker, 56, whose husband John died from leukaemia and inspired the whole project, said she cried with joy when she heard filming was to go ahead.

"It will be a tribute to John. We dedicated the calendar to him and now there will be a film."

Calendar Girls will be made on location in the Yorkshire Dales, London and Los Angeles.