STAR CHALLENGE: The Corrie barmaids Make high class cocktails

As Corrie's barmaids, Geena and Shelley, Jennifer James and Sally Lindsay aren't expected to pour anything more adventurous than a whisky for Mike or a G&T for Audrey. 'The whisky's Vimto and apple juice, the G&T is lemonade,' stage-whispers Sally, 28. She and Jennifer, 24, are in Manchester's Vivienne Westwood boutique, choosing outfits that announce 'High Class Barwoman' - because tonight they're going to learn how to make sophisticated cocktails at the five-star Lowry Hotel. It's a cobble's throw from the Granada studios, but light years away from the Rovers.

'On set, we dress in New Look, and giant, Spice Girl trainers,' confides Jennnifer, struggling to balance on a pair of eight-inch stilettos. Sally is stuck in a microscopic top: 'That's never going to go over me knockers,' she shouts. You can take the girls out of Weatherfield...

With the transformation complete, now all they have to do is make Sex And The City-style cocktails - when the most either has ever done is pour a Bitter Shandy. 'I have drunk cocktails, though, at Jen's house,' admits Sally. 'Next morning, I thought me head had gone septic and I couldn't feel me legs.' Shrieking with laughter, the girls burst into the quiet opulence of The Lowry's River Bar - it's like letting two circus ponies loose in a library.

Behind the bar, James the barman is waiting to instruct them in 'flaring'- the bottle flinging Tom Cruise did in Cocktail. The girls are nervous about spilling stuff down their Westwood gear, so they start with a simple Cosmopolitan. 'Pour your ingredients,' counsels James. 'Count to four... then two and a half with the next one.' 'One.. two... and... a... haaaaalf,' says Jennifer, making it last for a count of eight and causing her cocktail glass to overflow. Sally is cackling so hard she can barely shake hers, but James makes her go through the motions. 'How much does this cost?' she asks. 'pounds 7.50,' says James. Sally responds in a most er, unladylike fashion.

After the Cosmopolitan success they're straight on to Bloody Marys, flinging bottles of Tio Pepe sherry 'the secret ingredient' and Tabasco around as if they're always making them for Emily Bishop. Jennifer confidently throws her shaker from one hand to the other, yelling 'Hey!' like a bullfighter - and both cocktails look and taste exactly as they should.

But B52s are more difficult. James demonstrates how to pour a layer of Kahlua, one of Baileys and one of Grand Marnier to create a lethal three-tier shot glass. Jennifer does hers first time. 'Right, so I pour Grand Marnier over a twirly thing with a bit on the end - that's the technical name for it,' mutters Sally. She forgets to rest the twirly thing on the Baileys, though, and the drink curdles. Unfortunately, James has now set fire to Jen's B52, so she picks it up to show it off, spills alcohol on her hand, and sets herself alight. A lot of cold water later, she's recovered enough from her Human Fireball stunt to attempt bottle throwing. 'Can we have plastic ones?' asks Sally. James laughs, but after a series of crashes the bar floor is a sea of broken glass and he recognises the error of his ways.

Sally and Jennifer may need more practice, but judging by their enthusiasm for the task in hand, the Rovers may soon be hosting a Cocktail Night.

Jennifer's pounds 250 goes to The Crocus Trust which works to fight bowel cancer. For info or to make a donation call 020 7386 9790 or see crocustrust.co.uk

Sally is donating her money to The Alzheimer's Society, the UK's leading care and research charity for people with all forms of dementia and their carers. For info or to make a donation see alzheimers.org.uk or call 0845 306 0898

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