A saucy calendar revealing naked members of the Women's Institute could raise at least £100,000 for leukaemia research.

The total has yet to be reckoned and more money is still flowing in from around the world, but a bare estimate has the amount well into six figures.

The alternative WI Calendar was launched in sleepy Cracoe near Skipton in April and shows 11 women of mature years, naked apart from strategically placed household items.

Within seven days of its launch at the village pub, it had raised £10,000.

Ian Stewart, whose wife Tricia features in the calendar and has spearheaded the project, said at least 13,000 of the £5 copies had been sold.

And Jennings Brewery, which runs the Devonshire Arms and has backed the project, has sold £40,000 worth.

"We still have hundreds and hundreds of letters at home with cheques and we are dispatching as quickly as we can," said Ian.

"We keep going to Skipton Post Office with parcels of 200 copies in each batch. We're sending them all over the world because it has been on international television.

"One chap came along who was on holiday from Canada and said he had seen it on television over there are made a special trip to Skipton to get one," he added.

The calendar was launched in memory of leukaemia victim John Baker, who worked for the Yorkshire Dales National Park and lived in the village. His wife Angela is in the calendar.

A spokesman for the Leukaemia Research Fund said the calendar had been an astonishing success. "The women thoroughly deserve their success - they've been wonderful".

Anyone still wanting a copy should write to Jennings Brew-ery, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9NE and send a cheque for £5 plus £1 postage.

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