THREE years ago, the ladies of Rylstone and District Women's Institute made headlines around the world when they shed their inhibitions to pose nude for a calendar.

Their naked, but ever-so-tasteful, antics made them instant stars and led to countless other groups jumping on to the bandwagon with similar stunts.

However, it was the ladies of the WI who led the way - and now their adventure is to hit the big screen, with Harbour Films set to turn their story into a movie.

The WI, based near Skipton, in North Yorkshire, sold almost 240,000 copies of their calendar, raising more than £500,000 for leukaemia research.

They decided to strip off after John Baker, the husband of one of the WI members, died of the illness. The ladies were feted at home and abroad for the pictures, which featured them in a variety of discreet poses, from flower- arranging to baking.

Top British performers Julie Walters and Helen Mirren are among those in the frame to emulate the calendar poses in a movie.

No date for a release has been confirmed, but the cameras will be rolling in both London and Los Angeles, as well as closer to home in the Yorkshire Dales.

WI member Tricia Stewart, who played a leading role in setting up the calendar, as well as featuring in it, said both Julie Walters and Helen Mirren had been on their wish-list of stars when a movie was first mooted.

"It's incredible. It will be a real tribute to John," she said.