Scientists in Bradford are set to benefit from the bravery of a group of women who stripped off to raise money for cancer research.

The women, who have all been treated for cancer themselves, bared all for a series of photographs for a 2001 calendar.

Now it has been revealed that the project raised £7,500. Most of it will be spent on a new inverted microscope for use at the University of Bradford's Cancer Research Unit. The rest will be given to the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can... Cancer Research Appeal, which aims to raise £1 million for cancer research in Bradford.

Nancy Holdsworth, of East Morton, who was Miss April and the driving force behind the calendar, said: "We always wanted the money to go to something to do with research. This microscope is great. For the first time researchers in Bradford will be able to look at cell cultures while they are still alive so they can see the medication working on the cancerous cells."

But Mrs Holdsworth said her main reason for taking part in the calendar was to raise awareness of breast cancer.

And with national media coverage of their fundraising efforts, the women did just that. "It was to get women to go forward earlier for checks," said Mrs Holdsworth, who had a mastectomy five years ago. "You have to catch breast cancer quickly."

Aged between 34 and 65, all the women featured in the calendar have undergone a range of treatment at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, from having their breasts removed to full reconstruction.

One of the calendar girls, Sheila Bell, 68, of Bradford, who was Miss October, died from cance, in October last year. Mrs Holdsworth, said: "She fought to the end."

Professor John Double, head of the Cancer Research Unit and the team of scientists who will use the microscope, said he was really pleased to get the vital piece of equipment.

"It is something which will enable us to look at drug uptake in live cells," he said.

"It will help with knowing when drugs should be given and will benefit cancer patients receiving treatment in Bradford."

The money given to Bradford Can... will be doubled by Sovereign Health Care, of Manningham Lane, Bradford. Professor Double is pictured with the calendar and Janet Howell, left, Jacqueline Harrison, Nancy Holdsworth and Karen Illingworth.