Spice Girls split over unreleased material

Spice Girls are split over whether to release an album of previously unheard material.

Group members Mel B and Mel C are choosing the new record from 60 tracks recorded when the group was active, but their bandmates - Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell and Emma Bunton - are said to be against the idea.

Victoria - who is pregnant with her fourth child - is instead focussed on her career as a fashion designer while Geri and Emma are siding with the group's former manager, Simon Fuller, who still represents them and is also not keen on the project.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "From a possible 60 tracks, three or four would be guaranteed number ones and there's definitely a solid album's worth of tracks. Although such a release would generate millions, it's not about the money.

"Both Melanies want to open up the band to a new generation of fans and keep the memory of the Spice Girls alive.

"But Victoria has a hugely successful career as a designer and she'd rather distance herself from the group to concentrate on that. Also if Simon Fuller doesn't feel the timing is right, Emma and Geri don't want to go against him.

"It is safe to say this divide is causing friction within the group."

While some members of the band - who were formed in 1994 but split in 2000, before reforming for a reunion tour in 2007 - aren't keen on a new album, they are all behind forthcoming Spice Girls musical 'Viva Forever', which is set to open next year.