A TONED troop of tradesmen, including burly builders and polished plumbers, will soon be fuelling the daily fantasies of the ladies of South Lakeland.

A group of working men from Lindale near Grange-over-Sands have been tensing their torsos and posing for photographs for a cheeky new calendar, which it is hoped will raise much-needed funds for projects in the village.

Organiser Sue Egglestone said the idea for the calendar was inspired by the hit movie Calendar Girls which starred Helen Mirren and followed the real life exploits of members of the Women's Institute in the Yorkshire Dales, who bared all with nothing but a few strategically placed pots of jam and buttered scones to preserve their dignity.

"We got the idea last Christmas when we were thinking about what we could do to raise money for the local community. On New Year's Day I was looking out of my window and saw our local plumber Ronnie Wareing walking up Hampsfell and as a joke I asked him if he would get his kit off for charity and it all started from there," said Ms Egglestone.

"The local guys have been great and we've got 13 men of all shapes, sizes and ages including chefs, firemen, handymen and even a driving instructor. I hear the local gym has been doing very good business over the last few months," she added.

The calendar will be available to buy at a variety of outlets in South Lakeland, including Lindale Village Stores, and it is hoped that extra money will be raised by selling advertising space in the calendar - for details call Sue Egglestone on 015395-34648.