Plus-size girls prepare to storm up the charts

2:17pm Tuesday 19th June 2007

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With size zero models appearing in glossy magazines the world over, and a wealth of stick-thin celebrities' enticing the papparazi at every opportunity, a new all-girl pop group is trying to redress the balance and stand up for ladies of a slightly larger size.

Organised by online magazine Just as Beautiful, the competition to find five band members saw more than 300 singers from around the world apply. Auditions were held in Hertford on Saturday, with all those taking part having to be at least a size 16.

The band, which has been given the not entirely inspiring name Plus, is apparantly being formed as a way of tackling discrimination against real' women in the music industry.

Hampstead Garden Suburb resident Kate Newnes, 27, was one of the finalists.

She said: "I thought it was something a bit different. Because I am plus-size and I can sing, I thought I was already half-way there. I used to sing for the English National Opera when I was young, but since then I have only done karaoke. Things like the X Factor are more based on looks, but this is sending a positive message to people."

A spokesman for the magazine said: "The average woman in Britain is a size 16, yet the music industry is obsessed with the idea that a singer has to be a stick insect in order to be marketable. We think that's wrong, most of the people in this country think that's wrong, and Plus, a girl group made up of real women, will prove that it is wrong."

Between the Lines can happily recommend Just as Beautiful, which proves to be an excellent read. Recent feature articles have included an interview with former Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley, and pieces headlined My size has never stopped me', How to choose the right bra', and Lights on or off? It's a sex question'.