If the thought of stripping down to next-to-nothing and parading along a catwalk makes your blood run cold, then spare a thought for a brave trio of friends who have all battled breast cancer.

Julie Flanagan, 44, Charmaine Hall, 45, and Nina Elphee, 49, will be strutting their stuff at the Bosom Friends Fashion Show on May 17.

And as well as modelling the latest fashionable skirts, tops and dresses, the trio will also be taking the plunge and showing off swimwear and lingerie.

All the models in the show have either had, or are still battling, some form of cancer.

While being cheered on by an audience of about 1,000 they will be raising money for Bradford Cancer Support - a charity which has touched their hearts.

It will be the second time that teaching assistant Mrs Flanagan, of Clayton, has taken to the catwalk to raise money for the charity. She first took part last year after recovering from an operation in 2005.

"I was really, really nervous before I went on the stage, but afterwards when the show had finished I really did have a good sense of achievement," she said.

Mrs Flanagan said the help of BCS had seen her through some of the difficult times during her illness.

This year the show will raise cash for the BCS Daisy Appeal, which is aiming to raise £1.1million to build a state of the art centre near Bradford Royal Infirmary.

"I did actually make use of the cancer centre in Bradford and I found it to be a fantastic support. It's a fantastic place to be able to go."

And she said this year the show would be tinged with a note of sadness because four of last year's models have since died.

"It's always very sad to lose anybody. I think the reason that we continue to do something like this is because I know what a support it was to myself and it is good for family and friends as well," she said.

It will also be the second time that Mrs Hall, a production leader, of Wrose, will be taking part.

Having fought off the cancer Mrs Hall is now undergoing breast reconstruction, which can be an uncomfortable procedure.

Only nine days after having saline pumped into a bag under her skin Mrs Hall will model swim-wear and underwear at the fashion show.

"It's important to me because it's helped to build my self esteem and get my confidence back," she said.

And Mrs Hall said she felt BCS had been a life-saving service during her time of need.

She said she had noticed that few Asian or other ethnic minority women took advantage of what BCS had to offer, and she said she hoped the fashion show would raise awareness and encourage more cancer patients to make use of the charity.

"If BCS wasn't there for me I don't know what I'd do to be honest. I'd like to see more ethnic minority women come along, because it's nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of," she said.

Mrs Elphee, a learning mentor, of Wyke, will be taking a deep breath in advance of her first turn on the Bosom Friends catwalk.

Last year she was in the audience at the show as she was too unwell to take part.

"I thought what a wonderful thing to do. It's a lot about giving back. The care I had at BRI was absolutely marvellous and the support for my friends and family wonderful, it's what got me through," she said.

Last year the show raised £20,000 for BCS, which the Bosom Friends committee matched in a donation earlier this year.

The show will start at 7.45pm at the Abundant Life Centre on Wapping Road, Bradford. Tickets will cost £10.

To book tickets telephone Linda Enderby during office hours on (01274) 776688 or Liz Sykes on (01274) 881969 in the evenings.

e-mail: rebecca.wright @bradford.newsquest.co.uk