UPDATE 1-Spanish consumers group slam Ryanair pin-up calendar

(Adds Ryanair comment, Spanish government)

By Sarah Morris

MADRID, Dec 11 (Reuters) - A charity calendar sold by Ireland's low-cost airline Ryanair showing its air hostesses in skimpy bikinis demeans women and breaks the law, a Spanish consumer group said on Tuesday.

The Ryanair 2008 calendar called "The Girls of Ryanair" has photos of air hostesses posing in and outside of planes, dressed in bikinis rather than their normal blue suits.

April's hostess is Nicola from London Stansted, who is wearing only bikini bottoms, with her breasts covered by a lifejacket. "Miss July" -- Edita from Marseille -- reclines backwards over a wheel with a wrench in her hand and grease on her body.

"The company is attacking the dignity of women workers in general and especially of cabin crew members, by presenting stereotypical images of these professionals which they have spent years struggling against," Spanish consumer group FACUA said in a statement.

Ryanair, which is selling the calendar for five 5 pounds ($10) and giving the proceeds to the children's charity Angels Quest, was unrepentant.

"We are just protecting women's rights to take their clothes off," a spokeswoman told Reuters.

But Spain's Institute of the Woman agreed with the consumer group, saying the calendar is sexist, represents the stewardesses as sex objects and reinforces sexual stereotypes.