A PART-TIME model from Derbyshire has produced a 1940s-style forces' sweethearts calendar to raise money for an Army charity.

Chrissie Rowell, from Long Eaton, poses as Miss Forces Favourite for January in the calendar, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Army Benevolent Fund.

The 25-year-old persuaded other models to pose for free and enlisted her friend and photographer, Jen Mason, to take the pictures, also free of charge.

Next month she will launch Sweethearts, as the calendar is called, at a party at Chetwynd Barracks in Nottingham, where she works as a part-time receptionist.

Chrissie, of Bale Close, is a former University of Derby student.

She said: "I work part-time as a model, I am creative and also work for the Army, so I wanted to combine all three to raise money for a worthy cause.

"The Army Benevolent Fund is quite a traditional charity and I wanted something that was a bit cheesy, but tasteful, so I decided to try a forces' sweethearts theme. It brings back memories of pin-ups such as Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth.

"I'm really pleased with the outcome – it's classy and not trashy at all."

Before Chrissie approached the Army Benevolent Fund with her idea, she spoke to friend Jen, of Bostocks Lane, Risley, who has run her own photography business for two years.

Chrissie, whose husband, John Bloxham, works as a financial adviser at the Derbyshire Building Society, said: "Jen was in straight away, so I then put out a 'casting call' out on a models' website.

"I made it clear there was no payment as it was for charity, and received more than 100 responses."

The 12 models, who take on names such as Miss Spring Starlet and Miss Valentine Vixen, came to Derbyshire for their photo shoots, which took place either at Jen's home or Chetwynd Barracks.

Jen, 37, said: "Before the project I didn't know the first thing about the Army, but now I have a completely different outlook toward soldiers and their bravery."

For the past 65 years the Army Benevolent Fund has provided support to serving soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need.