A NAKED calendar featuring racy shots of ladies from a North-East village is being launched this weekend.

The calendar girls of Castleside, near Consett in County Durham, will be serving tea and cakes at a special launch event on Saturday from 10am-12pm in the Village Hall on Drover Road, Castleside.

The calendar is being sold to raise funds for Willow Burn Hospice in Lanchester and Cancer Research UK as well as boosting the coffers of Castleside Village Hall.

Judith Robson, one of the ladies who bared all, said: “This whole experience has brought our village together and we’ve all enjoyed a wealth of positive comments about what we’ve done.

“So we’ve embraced the spirit of the WI and baked cakes to share with everyone and thank them for their support.

“We’ve had orders from the US, Canada, Spain, The Gulf, Australia and New Zealand, most from people with strong links with this area.

“Hopefully, local sales will be as encouraging.”

For those unable to attend Saturday’s launch, calendars, priced at £10, are available to buy online from www.castleside.net or from Moorside Post Office, Matalan, Consett in early November, Sadie the Bra Lady and The Bluebell Inn, Stanley.