A group of ten ladies who survived breast cancer will feature in a risque charity calendar outside a church in Bocking.

The women, who met through their cancer diagnosis and treatment, took inspiration from the Calendar Girls film and were granted permission to have Christmas photos taken in St Mary’s Church, Bocking.

All those who took part have undergone some form of breast surgery, including mastectomies, and are supporting Helen Rollason Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care.

Father Rod Reid said: “The photographer Sharon is linked with the church, she has known St Mary’s and Bocking for longer than I have.

“The family know the church and were a little anxious in approaching us. I can understand the anxiety, but it was a lovely way for us to support them.

“They were unsure if we would say yes to such a request, but it was such a great opportunity for us to support the charities.”

The ladies hope to provide inspiration to others in a similar situation, as well as showing you can still be beautiful post breast cancer treatment.

They also want to highlight that breast cancer can happen to anyone and the earlier it is caught the more treatable it is.

The photos were all taken by Braintree photographer Sharon Howard.

She said: “The girls had so much fun doing the shoots and blossomed with confidence as the months progressed – it was wonderful to see.

"The photos were taken throughout 2016 and 2017 and it was so wonderful to see these beautiful women blossom with confidence throughout the sessions.  

"If you buy the calendar you’ll see which months we started off with as our ladies are wearing a few more layers than they are towards the end.

"In fact by the time the final shoot came around they were so confident it was a struggle to get them to keep their clothes on, they were like naughty toddlers running around whipping everything off."

Those involved are Simone Hawes, Nikki Smith, Vicki McGinn, Jackie Jordan, Julie Phillipson, Nadine Trye, Tina Tucker, Linda Pennington-Benton, Colette Chandler and Jan Buchanan - all from Essex.

Calendars are available for a suggested donation of £5 to £10 by emailing bccessexfundraisers@outlook.com or from Panners Coffee Bar in Great Notley.

Calendars will be sold at Helen Rollason Christmas Fair at Chelmsford City Racecourse on November 25 and 26.