Ten members of the Women's Institute have shaken off their group's traditionally stuffy image - by stripping for a charity calendar.

The women, members of Rylstone & District WI near Skipton, have bared all to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund.

All they "wore" to cover their modesty were hats, strings of pearls, and strategically placed items of kitchen equipment.

Three thousand copies of the Year 2000 calendars containing 12 sepia photographs of the women, aged 40 to 60, went on sale today following a launch at the Devonshire Arms Hotel in the Dales village of Cracoe.

The women, including housewives, teachers and businesswomen, kept their antics such a secret that it will be the first time their men-folk will have seen the revealing shots.

The driving force behind the calendar is Tricia Stewart, of Cracoe, who said they were inspired to produce the calendar by their late friend Yorkshire Dales National Park officer John Baker who died of cancer.

"We used to joke with John that as a reward for his great fight against the disease we would disrobe for the camera," she said.

"Sadly, John died in 1998 before the calendar could be produced but we decided to carry on in his memory and raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund."

The mums and grandmothers, including Mr Baker's wife Angela, pose in a kitchen, potting shed and by an inglenook fireplace carrying out traditional WI crafts, like baking, needlework, wine and jam making.

"John would be amazed that we have gone ahead and done it, but I am very proud. I think it's a marvellous tribute to him and it's for an important cause," said Mrs Baker.

Tricia's husband Ian, said: "The men have been kept away but we support them and think they've been very brave. We hope they raise lots of money."

The sunflower logo on the calendar was inspired by Mr Baker who gave the flowers out to his friends as a symbol of his fight for health.

The photographs were taken by acclaimed Dale's artist Terry Logan at his home in Threshfield. The calendar has been praised by the Leukaemia Research Fund and the national Women's Institute.

A WI spokesman said: "We think it's a great idea. A lot of work has gone into producing the calendar which is very tastefully done."

An LRF spokesman said: "We think it's going to raise a few smiles and is a good way to raise money for leukaemia research."

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