A MUSICAL bid for "girl power" has turned into a quest for fame for all-girl singing group P6.

What started as "a bit of fun" to find Prestwich's answer to the Spice Girls just over 12 months ago has developed into something driven by ambition, dedication and hard work.

After a year of local gigs the girls aged 14 and 15 have made their mark in the community and now have high hopes of wider stardom.

The band's manager, Jo Bernstein, who is the director of youth theatre group Class Act, first appealed via the Bury Times for talented performers to share the stage with Prestwich all-male band Epic.

She said: "Every year by tradition the carnival was closed by Epic. It was always the lads so I thought it was time for the girls to have a go." Jo (30), who was one of the foremost jazz singers in Greater Manchester in her heyday, had just six weeks to organise the event and immediately set to work holding auditions at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich.

Around 20 wannabes attended the auditions and the final line-up was named as Bury Grammar School students Frankie Ross and Emma Leatherbarrow, Parrenthorn pupil Hannah Bloor, Rachael Hudson, of St Gabriel's, Kelly Wilson and Stephanie Wright.

But like all good girl groups,namely the Spice Girls and Atomic Kitten (which now features former Prestwich girl Jenny Frost), the original line-up has undergone a few changes and two of the singers, Kelly and Stephanie, have since left "to pursue other avenues".

As a result P6, originally named after the town Prestwich and the number of band members, is seeking an alternative title.

"We are contemplating new ideas," said 15-year-old Emma, from Bolton. "So far we have discussed things like Shine, Essential and Principle, but we're still looking for the right name."

The girls, pictured with manager Jo Bernstein (centre), are (from left): Frankie Ross (14), Hannah Bloor (15), Rachael Hudson (15), and Emma Leatherbarrow (15).

Whatever the girls choose, it will have to reflect the sophisticated, stylish and mature image they have cultivated.

With renditions of classics such as Long Train Running by the Doobie Brothers, Love Affair's Everlasting Love, Rescue Me by Fontella Bass and more contemporary hits by Tina Turner and Christina Aguleira, P6 say they have a wide repertoire.

Jo, who lives in Sedgley Park, Prestwich, said: "They are more Motown, R 'n B and soft rock than bubble-gum pop.

"At first it was a bit of fun and the girls were quite nervous on stage. It took quite a bit of time to produce a song that they were comfortable performing.

"But they have got more confident over time and people love them."