PENSIONERS as old as 91 have turned calendar girls for the second year running to raise cash to buy new minibuses for the Kidderminster branch of Age Concern.

Following the success of last year's calendar, snapping has begun for Full Metal Granny 2005, which will be a spoof on famous films.

The new calendar will feature scenes from Briefs Encounter, Mistress and Commander and Star Wars 2.5 : The Return of Obi-Gran.

Paul Bourne, who conceived the idea after photographing pensioners on a visit to the RAF museum at Cosford, said most of the snaps had already been taken but financial help was needed to get his brainchild printed and on the shelves.

The administrative support officer added sales of last year's calendar had raised £2,502 for the charity but said more cash was needed to buy two new minibuses for the Tulip Centre in Kidderminster, at a cost of £30,000 each.

He explained the printing of last year's black and white calendar had cost £900 and he was hoping this year's could be printed in colour at an estimated cost of £3,500.

"We're trying to spread the word that we're doing it again and get some general interest," he said.

"We've been going to companies directly with our 2004 calendar and we're also planning some collections.

"We have only raised a couple of hundred quid so far though, so we have a long way to go."

He said the photographs already taken featured 28 pensioners from across the district at venues including Kidderminster Fire Station, Severn Valley Railway and HMS Warrior in Southampton.

"We've just been to Portsmouth for one of the shoots on HMS Warrior, which was great fun", he said, adding it was members of the branch's luncheon club and other groups who had modelled.

"We made a decent profit from last year's calendar, which we were rather chuffed about, because to actually make money on the first venture was not bad going and we just want to do it again because, as a charity, we always need money," he said.

"The idea came after I had been on an Age Concern trip to the RAF Museum in Cosford.

"I just happened to take a photo of two old ladies by an old jet hangar and, a week or so later, I showed it to them and said 'it's not quite Top Gun but more like Top Gran' and I thought if I can get a few more ideas like that then that will be a calendar."

The oldest person to model for next year's calendar so far has been 91-year-old Eve Townes, of Spennells.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Mr Bourne on 01562 827788.