It was an extraordinary tale of ordinary ladies.

Gary Barlow's musical of Calendar Girls is coming to two theatres in the county.

The Take That star has joined forces with Tim Firth for the show, based on a true story of a group of ordinary ladies who achieved something extraordinary.

Television presenter Fern Britton heads the cast with actresses including Coronation Street's Denise Welch and Ruth Madoc of Hi-de-Hi stripping off for their roles.

The show, which got five star reviews in London's West End, stars Lorraine Bruce, who appeared in Kay Mellor's The Syndicate, Anna-Jane Casey, who has appeared in Billy Elliot the tour, Sara Crowe, and Rebecca Storm, who has played Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers.

Based on the true story of a group of ladies who decide to appear nude for a Women's Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands, it tells how they went on to raise almost £5million.

It shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened and the effect on their husbands. It was made into a film in 2003, starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters with Linda Bassett, Annette Crosbie, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton and Geraldine James.

The show will be at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Wednesday, September 5 to Saturday, September 15. To book visit marlowetheatre.com or call 01227 787787.

It will also be at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford in April 2019. To book tickets visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.

The Band, Gary Barlow's show about a boyband with his Take That bandmates, is also at both theatres this year and next.