TWO Hampshire friends are proving they have the stomach to take advantage of a gap in the market.

Jane Moore and Becky Purves are setting up what is thought to be the country's first "bellygrams" service.

They have both been belly dancers for four years and are now starting their own business to appear at birthdays, hen nights and retirement parties.

The Southampton duo - Turkish Delight - hope their new venture will not go belly up as they bring a bit of eastern promise to pubs, functions and homes.

Wedding stationery designer Jane, 26, from Bitterne Park, and NHS buyer Becky, 21, from Shirley, met in 1997 at a belly dancing class in the city.

Jane said they came up with the idea to become bellygrams as an alternative to kiss-o-grams and strippergrams.

"What we are doing is unique in Britain - I don't know of any other bellygrams companies," she said.

"It is fairly common in other countries, especially America, but not in this part of the world.

"Our service will be a different twist on other services like kissograms but we think it will have a wider appeal because we can get the guests involved.

"The whole family can enjoy belly dancing and I hope it will go down well at events like hen nights because the hen can join us in our routine."

Jane said they intended to start work on Children In Need night on November 16 by belly dancing for charity. The dancers can be hired for £50.