CUSTOMERS are already queuing up for a Rossendale company's novelty Christmas cards.

Cheeky staff in Beta Group's customer service department had clients' hearts racing when they appeared naked -- except for a banner to cover their modesty -- a couple of years ago.

But all was not as it seemed, and the back of the card revealed the saucy girls were wearing little black dresses the whole time.

Since then customers from all over the country have been eager to see what the girls will get up to next in the name of festive fun.

Bosses at the company, in Underbank Mill, Bacup, say customers have been ringing up for several weeks asking when the new edition card will be ready.

But the new design is being kept a closely guarded secret.

Managing director Martin Lewis said: "The cards have really captured the imaginations of our customers over the years.

"The tradition started a few years ago when we were looking at doing something a little different, and the girls in the office came up with the idea of posing for a card.

"It was a little bit of fun that we thoroughly enjoyed putting together and it went down a storm. Each year we try to do something bigger and better.

"We know that our customers appreciate the effort. In fact, many of them started asking a couple of months ago when the new Christmas cards would be available and what we were going to do."

This year, as well as a new photo shoot for the card, the Beta staff are also recording a special CD of their festive favourites which will be played to callers placed on hold.

Martin said: "We are also producing a Limited Edition CD, complete with another unreleased picture of the photo session, which will go out to the first 30 customers who place an order."