BRITAIN'S Spice Girls were reunited on stage yesterday to announce details of a musical based on their songs - a tale of fame and female friendship that opens in London in the winter.

The music of the 1990s "girl power" group is being revived in Viva Forever, which tells the story of four friends whose bond is tested when their band enters a TV talent show.

The Spice Girls said they were delighted with the show, produced by Judy Craymer, the woman behind world-conquering Abba musical Mamma Mia.

"It's better than we could ever have imagined," said Melanie "Sporty Spice" Chisholm, about the show, written by comedienne Jennifer Saunders, co-creator of the smash hit TV sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.

"They sing it better than us," added Melanie Brown, the band's "Scary Spice".

The other members of the group, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham - also known as Baby, Ginger and Posh - were also at a media launch in the neo-Gothic Grand Hotel, where the video for their 1996 hit Wannabe was filmed.

The band's larger-than-life personalities, and Halliwell's Union Jack dress, made them icons of 1990s "Cool Britannia", and they sold 75million records around the world.

Halliwell left the group acrimoniously in 1998 and the Spice Girls effectively split up a decade ago.

The five members have not appeared together since a 2007-2008 reunion tour.

Beckham said that the show would be "introducing a whole new generation to girl power".

Viva Forever, which previews from November 25, opens on December 11 at London's Piccadilly Theatre.