The real-life women who inspired the film Calendar Girls told of their pride yesterday at the screening of the heart-warming tale.

The film is based on the Rylstone and District Women's Institute members who posed naked for a charity calendar - turning them into stars on both sides of the Atlantic.

Organiser Angela Baker said yesterday that her late husband John, whose cancer prompted their fundraising efforts, would have been delighted with the film, and everything they had achieved.

"He'd be amazed and very proud of what we've done," she said.

John had actively encouraged the calendar, talking about which month each of the 11 women would be and what traditional WI craft they would be depicted performing, although he never lived to to see them finish the project.

"He actually said 'you're all talk, you'll never do it' - but we did," said Mrs Baker, 58.

The names of the main characters, played by Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, have been changed and much of the story detail has been fictionalised by film-makers for dramatic purposes.

But the women whose cheeky actions prompted the film said they were more than happy with the results, even though they had reservations.

"My first reaction was that I probably didn't want it," said Mrs Baker, who inspired the character of Annie in the film, played by Julie Walters.

But she formed a friendship with the producers and a bond of trust developed.

"I had to talk to my children and we all realised it could be a success and we could all make a lot of money for leukaemia research.

"It was everything I imagined it to be - I'm very proud of it all,'' she said of the film.

Tricia Stewart said five of the original women decided at an early stage they did not want anything to do with the film.

"They were worried about how the film would make them appear. They were really determined they didn't want to be involved in the film."

Mrs Stewart, 54, said the fame they found has not made any difference back home in North Yorkshire.

"We're no big deal to anybody at home," said Mrs Stewart, who is originally from Sunderland.

"We aren't actresses and we aren't stars as long as we keep that knowledge we're fine."

Mrs Baker, speaking at the launch of the film in London yesterday, said: "We still do our washing on a Monday, ironing on a Tuesday and go to the supermarket."

The actresses who portrayed the Calendar Girls praised the women who inspired the roles.

Helen Mirren said: "We were very lucky that women who took part in the calendar were so very generous with their characters and their story.".

Although the actresses struggled with nerves at baring all for the cameras and crew, Julie Walters said she still found it tough to look at the calendar shot that was taken of her.

"I don't like to look at it. I'm slightly embarrassed," she said.

"Everyone hated their own photo but we love each other's.