ACCRINGTON’S very own Spice Girls have become a huge hit – thanks to their exotic home-made chutney.

They might not look like Ginger or Posh, but vicars’ wives Carol Ratcliffe, of St Paul’s Church, Oswaldtwistle, and Brenda Lyon, of St Peter’s Church, Accrington, have launched a mission to raise money.

Carol, who is not very flatteringly known as Old Spice, and Brenda, or Welsh Spice, have spent years making jam and chutney.

Now they have decided to use their talent to raise money for a good cause.

They approached Christine Reade, wife of the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, Bishop of Blackburn, to ask her to nominate a charity and she selected the Sunflower House Hospice in South Africa, which cares for terminally-ill children.

Since then, the hard-working duo have been making batches of pear chutney to raise cash for the cause.

Brenda said: "We used to be part of a social group and we were humorously nicknamed The Spice Girls.

"Since then, Carol and I have been meeting up once a month to make things to sell for charity.

"In the past, we have made all kinds of jam and our chutney flavours include banana and beetroot. If it grows, we’ll pickle it."

Carol said that in reference to their latest venture, they have acquired a new nickname – The Pickling Pair.

Brenda is married to Father David Lyon while Carol is the wife of the Rev Michael Ratcliffe.

People have been urged to support the cause by buying some of the friends’ chutney.

Large jars are available for £1 each, or small jars for 50p each, from Carol on 231038 or Brenda on 382173.