A group of unlikely Ilkley thespians are preparing to make their big-screen debut in a movie which charts the daring success of the women of Rylstone WI.

Five members of Ilkley Luncheon Club rubbed shoulders with the likes of Julie Walters and Helen Mirren last week as they played their part in the shooting of the as-yet untitled film.

Its story documents the remarkable effect the Rylstone Women's Institute's decision to make a risque calendar, featuring 11 members posing naked, had on the national media and the local community.

Some of those middle-aged 'Calendar Girls' visited Ilkley in May to tell the Luncheon Club how the idea, which had started as a joke, has helped raise nearly £500,000 for leukaemia research.

It was then the Ilkley fund-raising organisation first heard about auditions for extras taking place in Skipton, and decided to give them a go. As a result John and Marlene Clarke, Roy and Ros Laughton and committee member Mary McPhail will all appear in the movie when it is shown in cinemas across the globe next year.

Luncheon Club chairman Stephanie Edwards said: "We were delighted for the members to be given this chance because with the Calendar Girls coming to talk to us we feel as if we're getting to know them now.

"They mentioned the auditions quite jokingly but some of the group went along and, to their surprise, were accepted and have been taking part in the filming and meeting all the stars.

"It has been a great experience for the Club."

The shooting took place around the Skipton area, mainly in Kettlewell and Burnsall, with further scenes, sadly without the Ilkley contingent, now due to be shot in London and Los Angeles.

Roy Laughton and his wife Ros say they thoroughly enjoyed the taste of Hollywood they experienced in Burnsall on Tuesday, July 16.

Mr Laughton said: "We were all at a mock-up of a country show and had to pretend to look very interested in a dog competition that was taking place. For the other scene, we were filmed just walking around the set looking at things.

"We saw Julie Walters and some of the other actors in the afternoon as they were filming, but didn't speak to them - we just enjoyed watching them in action from close by.

"We've never really had any acting ambitions but this was too good an opportunity to miss, so we took it.

"It was a long day but we enjoyed it, and we'll both be going to see the film at the cinemas when it comes out, which should be around October, 2003, to see how we come across.

"All of our friends are joking and saying we're film stars now, but we haven't had any requests for autographs yet!"