CALENDAR Girls the movie will be unveiled at the International Cannes Film Festival later this month, the Herald can exclusively reveal.

There will a special screening on May 15, attended by the film's stars Helen Mirren and Julie Walters as well as Craven's very own Calendar Girls.

And the movie - already hailed as the film of the year - will have a premiere in Skipton before going on general release from September 5.

It is a long way from where it all began and that is what the film is about - the amazing story of 11 women of a certain age from Rylstone and District Women's Institute who stripped off for a nude calendar for charity.

They were inspired by national park officer John Baker, who was battling against leukaemia, and whose wife, Angela, was a WI member.

They thought their antics would amuse him, but sadly he died before the calendar was produced.

However their efforts have raised more than half a million pounds for Leukaemia Research and have captured the imagination of the world.

Mrs Baker, who starred in the calendar, said: "We had no idea we would get so much coverage when we launched the calendar. We just thought it would appeal to our friends and family.

"The idea of a film was quite nerve-wracking. I thought it would be very hard on me and my family to watch our story unfold on the screen.

"It was so very personal and I wasn't sure I wanted anyone to share it. I thought it might be too intrusive coming so soon after John's death."

However, the film deals with the tragedy in a sensitive manner.

Suzanne Mackie, director of development for filmmakers Harbour Pictures, said: "Angela and Tricia really put us through our paces at the first meeting.

"We told them that we were struck by it being a very funny story but more importantly a very moving human drama. That's what gave it depth and meaning."

The film is quintessentially British and showcases some of the country's finest talent.

The cast included award-winning actresses Julie Walters and Helen Mirren, as well as Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton, Annette Crosbie, John Alderton, Geraldine James, and Philip Glenister.

They worked with director Nigel Cole (Saving Grace, Cold Feet), award-winning composer Patrick Doyle (Gosford Park, Bridget Jones) and screenwriter Tim Firth (All Quiet on the Preston Front).

The film was shot in Kettlewell, Settle and around the district and encompasses breathtaking views of the Yorkshire Dales, with cameo appearances by local residents, including the Calendar Girls themselves.

It is a fictional account of the real events which catapulted the women to stardom but charts the price they had to pay when they were subjected to the glare of the world's media.

Although some of the details have been changed - the film is set in the fictional village of Knapely, and the names and the family circumstances of the main characters have been altered, the film aims to capture the spirit of these inspiring women and their incredible achievement.