A book revealing the extent of a rift between WI members who stripped for a charity calendar has been published.

Tricia Stewart's book Calendar Girl, based on the diary she kept to help her cope with the trauma of losing a friend to cancer, will be available from Friday, October 26.

Parts of it have already been serialised by a daily newspaper and the remarkable tale of the 11 women, members of Rylstone and District WI near Skipton, is being made into a film by London-based Harbour Pictures.

In the book, Mrs Stewart, 52, reveals the acrimonious split between the women over who should have the rights to make the movie.

While some women wanted it to be made by comedian and writer Victoria Wood, the others preferred the American-financed British firm Harper Pictures, which is now making the film.

Mrs Stewart's book is also candid about the marital problems she faced following the release of the calendar and the reconciliation with her husband, Ian.

The WI women raised £350,000 for Leukaemia Research in Britain when they posed nude for the calendar two years ago. A further £150,000 was raised when it was reproduced in America.

The calendar was launched in memory of the women's friend John Baker, a Yorkshire Dales National Park officer, who died of leaukaemia.

Commenting on the newspaper serialisation, Mrs Stewart, of Cracoe, said: "So far there have been no problems about it in the village. I'm glad it is all over and I'm now looking forward to promoting the book.''

Mrs Stewart, who is about to embark on a round of publicity interviews on radio and television, said she would give a donation from her royalties to Leukaemia Research.

And on Monday her husband Ian will join former England rugby union international Jeremy Guscott on his nationwide walk for Leukaemia Research.

Mr Stewart will be driving a back-up vehicle on the Skipton to Newcastle leg.

The book is published by Sidgwick & Jackson at £14.99.