SOME of Britain’s best-known actresses added a touch of showbiz glamour to the opening day of the New Forest Show.

Stars of the stage version of the hit movie The Calendar Girls, which has opened at Bournemouth Pavilion, took time out to visit the show.

The stage show tells the story of a group of middle-aged women produced an “alternative” WI calendar after stripping off for charity.

And after enjoying a champagne reception the actresses headed off to the WI marquee at the show ground.

The group included Sue Holderness (Marlene in Only Fools and Horses), Lesley Joseph (Dorien in Birds of a Feather) and Deena Payne (Viv in Emmerdale).

They were introduced to WI stalwart Gwen Meaden, of Sway, who met one of the real-life Calendar Girls in 2007.

This year’s event organised by the New Forest Agricultural Show Society also boasts a Harry Potter connection.

The flying Ford Anglia car that appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is on display at a stand representing the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

At least 90,000 people are expected to visit the Daily Echo-backed show, which ends tomorrow.

This year’s line-up includes a display by motorcycle stunt rider Jamie Squibb, who performs seemingly impossible feats as his machine leaps an 80ft gap between two ramps.

One jump involves rotating the bike 90 degrees in mid-air before straightening up just in time for the landing.