HUNDREDS of Women's Institute members packed a cinema last night as they finally got the chance to see the film about the Rylestone WI Ladies who bared all for charity.

Nearly 900 arrived at the Harrogate Odeon for the special screening of Calendar Girls.

The line of people snaked around the street outside the cinema as members of the North Yorkshire West Federation of WIs queued up for a champagne and pearls reception to celebrate the release of the film.

Starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, Calendar Girls tells the story of the ladies of Rylestone WI who stripped off for a charity calendar.

Several of the original calendar girls were among the audience. One of them, Tricia Stewart, said: "We've been to premieres all over the place in the last week,.

"But this one is really special because it's our federation and we want everyone to really enjoy it."

So far, the women have raised £650,000 for Leukaemia Research but are hoping to top £1m.

* Read what the WI members thought of the film in The Northern Echo on Monday.