FROM make-up rep to model, Bolton's Mary Rudkin shows that real women can be calendar girls.

Mary, aged 54, of George's Lane, Horwich, joined eight other "ordinary" Virgin Cosmetics consultants from across the North-west, including two from Bolton and one from Bury, to create a 2004 charity calendar.

The women, who all work as reps selling Virgin Vie make-up at parties, spent the day being pampered and photographed at Heather B Studios in Great Moor Street, Bolton.

The idea was prompted by the hit film Calendar Girls, in which women from the Women's Institute pose for a calendar to raise money for charity.

Proceeds from the Virgin calendar will go to CLIC -- Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood --and the North-west reps hope to raise £4,000 for the cause.

Mary, a freelance textile artist, has worked for the company for six months and has never tried her hand at modelling before. Now she features on the September page and hopes Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson will notice her when he has the calendar open at her month on his office wall.

"The whole idea is great for your self-esteem," she said. "The photographer was brilliant and I'm amazed at how fantastic the pictures look. Every woman should have a go, if only for fun. It's something you can look back on in the future."

Calendars are available to buy for £5, including postage, with proceeds going to the charity. Contact Mary on 07968 828318.