A CHEEKY Christmas card depicting Viz magazine's The Fat Slags with slim figures has become a collectors' item.

The Geordie pair, normally pictured with sagging stomachs and bulging bottoms, are captured with hourglass shapes for the first time in the card created for the Sanmarie Beauty Spa.

Helen Goudie, owner of the beauty salon, in Washington, Wearside, along with the Newton Hall Beauty Studio, in Durham City, won the services of Viz creator Simon Donald in an auction.

"Metro radio held a Just for Kids charity auction to raise money for local children's charities, and I wanted to bid for something, so I went for the Christmas card designed by Viz," she said.

"After bidding £125, I won. Then I got an e-mail from Simon Donald asking what my favourite characters were. All the staff came up with the idea of the two Fat Slags coming into the salon and having a makeover, then walking out slim, just to prove we could make anyone look beautiful."

Ms Goudie and hairdressing manager Kirsty Blakey both feature in the card, with Ms Goudie showing the Fat Slags a list of options and one of the uncouth pair asking for hair like Ms Blakey's.

Ms Goudie said: "We've only had 300 printed and already they are a collectors' item."